Here’s how we resisted Trump’s cruel agenda last week

Here’s how we resisted Trump’s cruel agenda last week

January 28, 2025

Last week was hard. We saw Trump spew fascist rhetoric at his inauguration, Elon Musk do a Nazi salute (which the ADL defended), executive orders that violently target our immigrant and trans family, and more.

But here’s what gives us hope: our Jewish resistance to Trump is growing. Scroll down to see our movement of Jews and allies in action together. It’s incredible.


We started inauguration weekend braving the cold with thousands of our friends in D.C. for the People’s March. As leaders with the Jews for Democracy contingent, we sent a clear message that our movement of Jews and allies will never stop fighting for our shared future.

Bend the Arc staff and leaders holding signs at the People's March in D.C.

At Trump’s inauguration, where he outlined policies akin to how Jewish immigrants and trans people were among the first targeted in 1930s Germany, Elon Musk celebrated with back-to-back Nazi salutes — and then the ADL defended him.

So we jumped into action with a petition calling on the ADL to hold Musk accountable...

Image of Musk's Nazi salute with text that reads "Tell the ADL: Don't Defend Elon Musk's Nazi Salute"

…a video explaining why the ADL is endangering Jews — not protecting us — by defending Musk and staying silent on Trump’s policies


Snapshot from video with image of Musk's Nazi salute, text that reads "Tell the ADL: Don't defend this," and a play button

…and an explainer video about how people like Trump and Musk use antisemitism and accusations of antisemitism in an attempt to undermine our movements for justice.1,2,3


Still from video \

With your support we had an amazing impact: thousands of Jews and allies signed the petition, answered the call to submit Musk’s antisemitism directly to the ADL’s website, and watched the videos.


All of this work — mobilizing Jews and allies in the streets, calling out Musk’s egregious antisemitism (and the ADL dangerously excusing it), and protecting those most at risk under the Trump administration — requires resources.

Can you chip in with $10, $18, or any other amount to help us fight back at the scale that's required?


Trump’s cruel, dangerous policies are already harming our immigrant family, our trans family, and so many others.

That’s why we joined over 85 other Jewish organizations in opposition to the Administration’s plans to launch mass deportations, build massive detention camps, and conduct sweeping raids.4, 5, 6


Headline from the Forward that reads \


Like our ancestors before us, we’ll never stop resisting fascism and fighting for a better future. Like our ancestors before us, we know that winning will take all of us.

Help our movement continue this urgent work. Your gift today — of any amount — will make a difference and be put to use immediately in our Jewish fight to resist Trump. 

In solidarity, 

The Bend the Arc team

Learn more:
1. Tell the ADL: Don’t Defend Elon Musk’s Nazi Salute (petition)
2. Tell the ADL: Don’t Defend This (video)
3. Elon Musk and Smokescreen Antisemitism
4. LETTER: More Than 85 Jewish Organizations Oppose Trump's Mass Deportation Plans
5. RNS, In letter, Jewish groups urge Trump not to enact 'widespread persecution of immigrants'
6. The Forward, Dozens of Jewish groups protest Trump’s plans for mass deportation