Fact Check: Did Trump call himself the 'best president in the history of Israel'?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid tensions with Benjamin Netanyahu following the ceasefire deal with Iran, a rumor has been rapidly spreading across social media platforms claiming that President Donald Trump called himself the best president in the history of Israel, sparking mockery and confusion among online users.
Let us analyze the viral claim and fact-check its authenticity.
Claim: Trump called himself the 'best President in the history of Israel'
Several posts on X, Threads, and Instagram claim that President Trump said, “I've been the best President in the history of Israel.” The posts have garnered more than a million views as of this writing, drawing mixed reactions from netizens.
Replies to the post show polarized reactions, with critics arguing that the remark reflects misplaced priorities favoring Israel over American interests.
Meanwhile, many interpreted Trump's statement as him openly declaring himself the president of Israel, sparking confusion and speculation.
Fact Check: Trump made the remark but wasn't claiming to be Israel's president
The claim is true in part. Trump did call himself the “best president in the history of Israel” on Thursday, July 2, during a CNBC interview, as his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to face strain following the Iran ceasefire.
However, Trump made the statement to suggest that he believes he has been the best US president for Israel's interests, not that he was claiming to be Israel's head of state.
Trump touts popularity in Israel
During the interview, Trump questioned why most American Jews vote for Democrats.
“How a Jewish person can vote for a Democrat is beyond me,” Trump says. “Because I’ve been the best president in the history of Israel, and they acknowledge, and by the way, in Israel I think I was at 99% or something.”
Trump has generally enjoyed strong support in Israel, but his approval ratings have declined since he signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran.
The agreement has raised concerns among some Israeli officials, with some analysts arguing that it is even more harmful to Israel's security than the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
A poll released last month by the Israel Democracy Institute found that only 44% of Israelis believe Israel's security is one of Trump's top priorities.
