Trump was asked Friday about his use of the term “Shylock” during his campaign rally in Iowa, when the president said about his domestic policy bill, “Think of that: no death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowings from in some cases a fine banker. And in some cases, Shylocks and bad people.”

President Donald Trump said early Friday that he wasn’t aware that some people view the word “Shylock” as antisemitic after using the term during a rally to decry amoral money lenders.

President Donald Trump has spoken out after sparking criticism for using a term widely considered to be antisemitic during a speech. Addressing a crowd in Iowa on Thursday, Trump used the term “Shylock” when discussing his now-signed “ Big, Beautiful Bill. ”