Trump says he ‘may endorse somebody’ as Benjamin Netanyahu faces key Israeli election
WASHINGTON, DC: On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he’s considering wading into Israel’s national election by endorsing a candidate. The announcement sparked quick questions: would he stand behind his longtime ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or choose one of Netanyahu’s serious opponents?
Israel’s voters head to the polls October 27, marking their first national election since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and the wars that followed. Trump mentioned his possible endorsement while leaving Washington for Alaska, just two weeks before election day.
Trump has previously left door open while suggesting staying out
“I haven’t thought about it. Maybe I’ll do something. We may endorse somebody in these elections,” Trump told reporters before departing Washington for Alaska.
The remarks echoed comments Trump made in August, when he similarly declined to commit to an endorsement while leaving the possibility open.
Trump has not endorsed Netanyahu or any of his challengers. In August, he similarly left open the possibility of intervening in the election while suggesting he would prefer to remain on the sidelines.
Trump on Israel: We haven't even thought about the Israeli elections. I may be doing something. https://t.co/d4qG9VQfg4
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 13, 2026
“I think it’s most appropriate for me to stay out of Israeli elections, but I may endorse somebody,” Trump said in a Fox News interview at the time.
His latest remarks come against the backdrop of a longstanding political partnership with Netanyahu, whose governments have worked closely with Washington on some of the most consequential developments in the region, including the historic Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, and the ongoing military confrontation with Iran.
Netanyahu’s historic tenure under threat
Netanyahu turns 77 this week. He’s been Israel’s prime minister longer than anyone else, leading the country for almost twenty years across three separate terms that started in 1996.
His supporters highlight how Israel shifted into a major force in technology and economics under his watch, forged new international ties, and signed the Abraham Accords.
🇮🇱 Netanyahu is warning Israelis what happens if the opposition wins the election. According to him, they’d “establish a Palestinian state,” pull out of Lebanon and Gaza, and “do nothing against Iran.” He really needs this to land. With the vote on October 27, he’s trailing in the polls and has reportedly admitted he’ll lose “unless something changes.” So this is basically his pitch to voters: pick me, or get all of that. Writer: Daniyal https://t.co/KryYAL57nT
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 14, 2026
Now, the upcoming October 27 election centers on his response to the October 7 attack, when Hamas-led t********s killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped 251, marking the deadliest assault in Israel’s history.
Critics argue Netanyahu’s government failed to stop the massacre and has blocked efforts at an independent investigation into the intelligence breakdowns that came before it.
Netanyahu’s opponents accuse his government of failing to prevent the October 7 attack and resisting the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into the intelligence and security failures that preceded it.
The prime minister has rejected efforts to place primary responsibility for the disaster on his leadership and defended his government’s conduct of the subsequent war.
News reports show neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition securing the 61 seats needed for a majority in Israel’s 120-member Knesset, leaving the outcome uncertain and a potential Trump endorsement carrying significant weight.
