Trump-backed congressional candidate supports Israel, says Antichrist will be Jewish

Jackson Lahmeyer, a favored candidate in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District primary, has garnered significant endorsements, including from former President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, has built a national profile partly through his strong rhetoric against "sharia law," a concept often used in right-wing discourse. One of his campaign planks is "Ensuring That Sharia Law Never Takes Root In Our Nation."

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The Antichrist will be a political leader of Jewish descent. That is how the Jews will worship him.

Lahmeyer's campaign has also been marked by controversial theological statements concerning Jewish people. He stated during a church livestream on October 8, 2024, that "The Antichrist will be a political leader of Jewish descent... That is how the Jews will worship him." He based this assertion on his interpretation of biblical prophecy, arguing that the Antichrist would exhibit great blasphemy and disregard ancestral deities.

These remarks have sparked concern among some Jewish voters, particularly in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, which hosts a substantial Jewish community and several large Jewish organizations. One X user expressed dismay, writing, "Jackson, I am appalled at this post. I’m Jewish. I supported you[r] run for office at every turn... Antisemitism is at an all time high. I’m scared for them. This is abhorrent."

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This is not anti-Semitic AT ALL. The Christ is Jewish. Scripture indicates that the Antichrist will also be Jewish.

Lahmeyer defended his comments, responding to the user on X by stating, "This is not anti-Semitic AT ALL. The Christ is Jewish. Scripture indicates that the Antichrist will also be Jewish." Despite these beliefs, Lahmeyer has consistently framed his political platform around pro-Israel stances and has sought to appeal to voters concerned about national security and traditional values.

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Jackson, I am appalled at this post. I’m Jewish. I supported you[r] run for office at every turn. I have children and grandchildren. Antisemitism is at an all time high. I’m scared for them. This is abhorrent.