President Donald Trump beat back criticism of his comments accusing American Jews who vote for Democrats of "great disloyalty" and went a step further on Wednesday, saying any vote for a Democrat is a vote against Israel.

"I think that if you vote for a Democrat you are very, very disloyal to Israel and to the Jewish people," Trump told reporters as he left the White House.

The Republican president drew outrage on Tuesday from Democratic presidential candidates and U.S. Jewish groups after accusing American Jews who vote for Democrats of "great disloyalty."