DC councilman claims Jews are 'controlling the climate,' says he 'did not intend' to be anti-Semitic

A Washington, D.C, city councilman apologized Sunday for an anti-Semitic comment in a Facebook video, claiming he “did not intend” for it to be anti-Semitic.

In the Facebook video posted on March 16, the Washington Post reported, Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White Sr. said:

Man, it just started snowing out of nowhere this morning, man. Y’all better pay attention to this climate control, man, this climate manipulation. And D.C. keep talking about, "We a resilient city." And that’s a model based off the Rothschilds controlling the climate to create natural disasters they can pay for to own the cities, man. Be careful.

The video has since been deleted from his Facebook page.

The Rothschilds, a wealthy Jewish family, are a favorite target of conspiracy theorists who accuse them of being behind major world events and even of having the ability to manipulate the weather. “Resilient cities” is a term used in one of these weather-based Rothschild conspiracy theories.

White later said that he “did not intend” to be anti-Semitic with his statement and that friends at Jews United for Justice are "helping" him “to understand the history of comments made against the Jews.”

At first, White seemed surprised that his comments were being viewed as ant-Semitic. When Post initially asked him for a comment, he responded by text saying dismissively, “The video says what it says.” However, after paper published its story Sunday calling him out, White issued a formal apology.

His apology, which he published on social media, stated:

In response to my social media post on Friday, as I leader I work hard to combat racism and prejudices of all kinds. I want to apologize to the Jewish Community and anyone I have offended. The Jewish community have been allies with me in my journey to help people. I did not intend to be Anti-Semitic, and I see I should not have said that after learning from my colleagues. I have spoke to leaders and my friends at Jews United for Justice and they are helping me to understand the history of comments made against Jews and I am committed to figure out ways continue to be allies with them and others...

Jews United for Justice tweeted Sunday night: "We spoke with @trayonwhite tonight about how his comments played into the long history of antisemitism. We look forward to working with him toward deeper understanding of antisemitism and toward our collective liberation."

We spoke with @trayonwhite tonight about how his comments played into the long history of antisemitism. We look forward to working with him toward deeper understanding of antisemitism and toward our collective liberation.

— JUFJ (@jufj) March 19, 2018