Berk Kutay Gokmen
18 October 2026•Update: 18 October 2026
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threw his support behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 elections, declaring his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of the longtime leader’s bid for re-election.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership and his partnership with Washington, particularly in confronting Iran, warning that the US could be forced to take on the burden itself if Israelis choose another leader.
“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump wrote.
He described Netanyahu as “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant,” adding that the Israeli leader had grown stronger despite mounting pressure, including opposition within Israel itself.
Following the endorsement, Trump told Israel’s Channel 12 that he “was always going to do that,” but “just didn’t want to do it too soon.”
Trump stressed the “good relationship” he has with Netanyahu, saying: “It is important that Israel has a person they can count on.”
Asked whether he could work with an alternative Israeli leader, Trump replied: “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Who wants to take the chance?”
The endorsement comes as Netanyahu faces a politically sensitive election campaign, with his leadership scrutinized over security, the war in Gaza and his handling of Israel’s international standing.
Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 in Gaza since October 2023, most of them women and children, while around 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to Palestinian authorities.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice is also hearing a case brought by South Africa and joined by several countries that accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.