Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar of Kiryas Yoel in Upstate New York announced that he endorsed former President Donald Trump for president.
A mock Satmar ballot, which offered guidance in Yiddish for whom to vote for, showed votes cast for Democrats in nine of the 11 federal, state and local races. However, Trump received the rebbe’s approval, reportedly following discussions among the leadership of the Chassidic group.
An Israeli media report that JNS was unable to verify indicates that Satmar leadership was concerned about the possible implications for Jews if Vice President Kamala Harris becomes president.

The news of the Trump endorsement is a marked departure from the rebbe’s criticism of “Trumpism” after Election Day in 2022.
“Trumpism became entangled in the Jewish camp,” the rebbe said at the time. “This Trumpism twisted the minds of so many Yidden,” he said. “It brainwashed people, and that’s so painful.”
The rebbe’s group, which was one of only two New York Chassidic voting blocs that tied themselves to Hochul, generally favors Republicans in national elections. It mostly supports Democrats in state and local ballots, given the strengths of Democrats in the state.
Aside from Trump, the rebbe announced his endorsement on Monday of Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) in the 18th Congressional District. Ryan is facing Alison Esposito, a Republican, in what analysts see as a key race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. JNS