Mailers sent in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas
Michigan officials and pundits are condemning advertisements seemingly in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, but being used in a way designed to create division.
The ads, both digital and in printed mail form, highlight Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, as “unwaveringly” supporting Israel and notes she “leans on Jewish husband Doug Emhoff to advise on high level pro-Israel policies.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the official opening of the new Tesla electric car manufacturing plant on March 22, 2022 near Gruenheide, Germany. | Christian Marquardt – Pool/Getty Images
“It was one of the most antisemitic mailers I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Democratic political consultant Mike Radtke, who is also a Sterling Heights City Council member. “The problem with this mailer is it seems like it’s in support of Kamala Harris, but all it does is talk about how her husband is Jewish, and she supports Israel. And they mailed it to every Muslim they could find in Macomb and Oakland and Wayne County. And all that is meant to do is create division. What does her husband’s religion have to do with anything?”
The ads were created by the Future Coalition PAC, which the Wall Street Journal reports is connected to billionaire Elon Musk, who owns Tesla and X. He has endorsed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and has reportedly spent at least $75 million of his own money in supporting Trump’s candidacy.
The ads appear to try and play to the frustration expressed by many Arab Americans with the Biden-Harris administration policy toward Israel and its war against Hamas in Gaza. That frustration has most visibly taken the form of the Abandon Harris campaign which says it is “seeking to ensure the defeat of Kamala Harris at the ballot box.”
Simultaneously, Republican efforts are also targeting Jewish voters by portraying Harris as insufficiently supportive of Israel.
Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) posted about the mailers from the Future Coalition PAC, but also one from the Michigan Republican Party, with quotes portraying Harris as supporting Palestinian protestors.
“Let’s be clear here: Donald Trump & his affiliates are exploiting Jews to sow chaos. It’s grotesque,” tweeted Moss.
“Kamala Harris will embolden anti-semites” — Michigan Republican Party mailer
“Kamala Harris… leans on Jewish husband Doug to advise” — Republican super PAC Michigan mailer
Let’s be clear here: Donald Trump & his affiliates are exploiting Jews to sow chaos. It’s grotesque. pic.twitter.com/HIxaebh4J2
— Senator Jeremy Moss (@JeremyAllenMoss) October 8, 2024
Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said in a statement that the ads served as a demonstration of a GOP strategy to divide Americans for political purposes.
“These ads aim to drive a wedge between minority communities by exploiting bigotry and disinformation, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It’s appalling and on brand for Donald Trump,” she said.
Additionally, the Michigan Campaign Finance Network reports that according to quarterly campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission, the Future Coalition PAC spent more than $480,000 in ads purportedly supporting U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) in her Senate race against former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) and more than $66,000 in opposition ads against Slotkin.
While most of the print and digital ads focus on Harris, one ad features both Harris and Slotkin, proclaiming them as the “Pro-Isreal team we can trust.” Slotkin is Jewish.
When asked for comment, the Slotkin campaign sent the following statement from spokesperson Austin Cook.
“This is exactly the kind of political tactic that voters are sick of,” said Cook. “These ads aren’t just intentionally deceptive, they’re designed to divide our state and turn Michiganders against one another. It’s shameful and dishonest, and has been funded by a single right-wing billionaire who is only looking out for himself. Both parties should have the courage and decency to condemn this.”
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