‘Will never let you down’: Trump backs Netanyahu just 9 days before Israel goes to polls

Only 9 days before a significant poll in Tel Aviv, President Donald Trump has endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him 'a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran'
President Donald Trump listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 29, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
President Donald Trump listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 29, 2025 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON, DC: Just nine days before a high-stakes election in Israel, President Donald Trump has extended his “complete and total endorsement” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “Great Warrior.”

Israel's legislative elections are scheduled for Oct 27 to elect all 120 members of the 26th Knesset. The poll is widely viewed as a critical referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his governing coalition.

Trump extends ‘complete’ support to Bibi days before key election

President Donald Trump has endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him “a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling back from Ireland to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on September 13, 2026 in flight (Getty Photos/Anna Moneymaker)

In a post on his Truth Social on Sunday, oct 18, Trump wrote in all caps that Netanyahu “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Trump’s support, which had been withheld for several months, could provide a boost to Netanyahu’s re-election campaign, as reports suggest the Israeli leader faces challenges ahead of the election.

The absence of an endorsement had been a setback for the Likud politician, who had presented his close ties with the Republican president as a selling point for remaining in power.

Trump says Netanyahu has ‘endured’ a lot

Trump wrote a lengthy post praising Netanyahu’s leadership and his actions against Iran.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition,” writes Trump, “including that coming from even Israel, itself.”

US President Donald Trump Israeli and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu interact after Netanyahu addressed the Knesset on October 13, 2025 (Getty Photos/ Chip Somodevilla)

Trump said Netanyahu had “endured and, in fact, he has thrived!”

“I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times,” writes Trump. “Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today. This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much.”

Netanyahu thanks Trump for his ‘tremendous’ support

"Thank you, President Trump, for the tremendous support and work together," Netanyahu said in a statement in Hebrew posted on X.

"Together we will complete the mission!"

Netanyahu’s Likud Party attached a 35-second video to the statement featuring clips of the two leaders together and Trump praising Netanyahu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A total of 38 political parties are competing for seats, with around 11 expected to pass the 3.25% electoral threshold required to enter the Israeli Knesset.

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