Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage also suggested that Jewish people would donate less money to Democrats as a result of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s statements. | Robert F. Bukaty, File/AP Photo Politics Ex-Maine governor: Democrats' 'money comes from' Jews 'for the most part'

A former Republican governor of Maine claimed Monday the Democratic Party’s “money comes from” Jewish donors “for the most part” — escalating a recent spate of rhetoric from elected officials and media figures that has been widely criticized as bigoted.

Paul LePage, who left the Augusta governor’s mansion in January after two terms, made the remarks during an interview with a radio station in Portland, Maine, in which he rebuked recent statements Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has made about Israel


"The Jewish people in America have been great supporters of the Democratic Party," LePage told WGAN-AM. "In fact, that's where their money comes from for the most part. They should be absolutely insulted for what she's been saying."

Omar was lambasted for suggesting that the allegiance of American politicians supporting Israel had been bought — seemingly the same belief LePage was espousing as he excoriated her.

LePage also suggested that Jewish people would donate less money to Democrats as a result of Omar’s language, which has provoked bipartisan repudiation and a House resolution condemning hateful speech.

"I think what they might do, the fundraising might get hurt a little bit," he said. "But I don't think they're going to desert the Democratic Party."

Reaction to Omar’s statements also included a weekend segment on Fox News by host Jeanine Pirro that many viewers deemed Islamophobic and which the network denounced . On the Saturday evening broadcast of her show, Pirro suggested that Omar supports Sharia law in defiance of the U.S. Constitution because she wears a hijab.

“She’s not getting this anti-Israel sentiment doctrine from the Democrat Party. So if it’s not rooted in the party, where is she getting it from?” Pirro said. “Think about it. Omar wears a hijab, which according to the Quran 33:59 tells women to cover so they won’t get molested.”

Pirro added: “Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?”

“We strongly condemn Jeanine Pirro’s comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar," Fox News said in a statement Sunday. "They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly.”

Omar on Monday expressed gratitude to the network for its response to Pirro, tweeting : “Thank you, @FoxNews. No one’s commitment to our constitution should be questioned because of their faith or country of birth.”