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Briefings · Sunday, October 18, 2026 · 💼 5 PM
💼 5 PM · While you worked

Trump endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israel's election

President Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party on Sunday, nine days before Israel's Oct. 27 election, calling him "a Great Warrior Prime Minister." Axios reports it is the first time a U.S. president has explicitly and publicly endorsed a candidate in an Israeli election. Trump wrote that with anyone other than Netanyahu, the U.S. would have to handle Iran itself. Netanyahu thanked him. Most polls show Netanyahu's coalition short of the 61 seats needed to govern.

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How each side sees it

President Trump saysNetanyahu "did not wilt" under pressure and Israel needs "a person they can count on"; he wrote that with "the wrong Leader," the U.S. would have to deal with Iran itself.
Netanyahu saysHe thanked Trump for "the tremendous support," adding "Together, we will complete the mission."
Netanyahu's rivals sayOpposition figure Gadi Eisenkot said he respects the president and appreciates his help for Israel, but "the only ones who will decide are the citizens of Israel"; some rivals had urged Trump to stay neutral.

Sources

Checked against 3 established news sources:

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Published Sunday, October 18, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.

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