Trump Endorses Netanyahu Before Israeli Vote

Donald Trump has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, making the move less than two weeks before Israel’s October 27 vote and ending a period in which he repeatedly avoided taking a side.

The decision came after Trump told Time earlier this month that he was no longer involved in Israeli politics. On Thursday, he said in an interview with Newsmax that Netanyahu wanted him involved and noted their good relationship, but again stopped short of an endorsement. When asked whether he trusted Netanyahu, Trump said he did not trust anyone in politics.

That hesitation stood out because Netanyahu’s close connection to the White House has traditionally been treated as an important campaign advantage. Trump had also told reporters the previous week that he had not thought about endorsing candidates, while adding that he might do something. His Sunday statement showed what that meant.

A tense relationship sat behind the announcement

Trump’s eventual endorsement also came against reports of private friction. He reportedly criticized Netanyahu in a heated phone call for continuing the war during negotiations between the United States and Iran. The reports also said Trump accused him of being ungrateful and referred to his efforts to keep Netanyahu out of jail during the corruption case.

Their limited contact added to the tension. The two leaders have not met face-to-face since a closed-door meeting in August, and they did not meet during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Yet that distance did not stop Trump from issuing a forceful public endorsement of Netanyahu.

Trump tied the vote to Iran

In a statement released Sunday morning, Trump praised Netanyahu as a great warrior and a partner for peace. He argued that Israel needs Netanyahu to confront Iran and warned that if anyone else becomes prime minister, the United States would have to take on that work itself. Trump added that he was not inclined to do so.

Trump’s statement also portrayed Iran’s threats as a danger that could eventually become action. He said Iran’s military and finances had been systematically weakened, while warning that the country would need to change course quickly. He credited Netanyahu with holding firm through intense opposition, including opposition within Israel, and said Netanyahu had grown stronger under pressure rather than giving way.

Why It Matters

This endorsement matters because it puts the weight of Trump’s political influence behind Netanyahu at a moment when the Israeli election is being discussed through the lens of security, Iran and the country’s relationship with the United States. Israeli voters are the immediate audience, but the message also signals how Trump views the partnership and who he believes should carry responsibility for confronting the threats described in his statement.

The account also leaves several questions unresolved. It describes a partnership marked by public praise and private friction, so the endorsement does not erase the recent tension. It remains unclear how much the intervention will affect the campaign, how Netanyahu’s opponents will answer it, or whether the warmer public message will lead to renewed direct contact.

Trump ended his statement by calling it his "Complete and Total Endorsement" of Netanyahu’s reelection bid. He then declared, "BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" After weeks of hesitation and reports of private anger, the message leaves no ambiguity about which candidate Trump wants Israeli voters to choose.

Source: The Gateway Pundit