On May 6, 2026, during a Fox News segment, Pete Hegseth, a former Army officer and Fox News host, referred to political opponents as 'Pharisees,' a term historically used to describe a Jewish sect. The comment has drawn criticism from Jewish advocacy groups, who argue it misrepresents Jewish history and perpetuates anti-Semitic tropes.
The term 'Pharisee' originates from the Second Temple period, referring to a Jewish sect known for its emphasis on oral law and interpretation of the Torah. However, in Christian contexts, it has often been used pejoratively to denote hypocrisy, based on New Testament accounts. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has noted that using 'Pharisee' as an insult can reinforce negative stereotypes about Jews.
Hegseth's comment, made in the context of criticizing political elites, has been condemned by groups like the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which stated that such language 'trivializes Jewish history and fuels religious intolerance.' Hegseth has not publicly apologized, but Fox News has not commented on the matter.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of political figures using religious terms as insults, which experts say can normalize anti-Semitism. The ADL has called for greater awareness of the historical and cultural significance of such terms.
