In a Time interview, Trump avoids directly endorsing Netanyahu but defends him over reports of warnings before October 7 attacks.<\/p>\n
United States President Donald Trump has avoided directly endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview ahead of Israel\u2019s upcoming elections<\/a>, despite repeatedly heaping praise \u2013 and White House visits \u2013 on the Israeli prime minister.<\/p>\n Trump thrice avoided making an endorsement in an interview with Time magazine published on Thursday, instead pivoting to his own popularity in Israel and actions in support of Israel\u2019s government.<\/p>\n Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list<\/p>\n The US president was initially asked if the \u201cIsraeli people should give Netanyahu another term?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can only say that I\u2019m not involved in politics any more, except that we\u2019re popular,\u201d Trump said, claiming \u201c99 percent\u201d popularity in Israel.<\/p>\n When pressed a second time on whether Netanyahu should have another term, Trump pointed to Washington\u2019s continued security support for Israel and his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during his first term.<\/p>\n The interviewer responded: \u201cIt seems like you\u2019re doing a lot of work for him. Should he have another term?\u201d<\/p>\n Trump replied: \u201cNo, my primary thing \u2013 I do want to help them defend Israel. My thing that I mention all the time is Iran cannot have a nuclear power because they are crazy and you can\u2019t let crazy people have nuclear weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump has repeatedly hailed his relationship with Netanyahu throughout his second term, even as government officials have leaked accounts of private discord between the two leaders.<\/p>\n Trump has met with Netanyahu at least seven times since January 2025, more than any other leader, and has publicly pushed for a pardon in the Israeli leader\u2019s ongoing corruption trial.<\/p>\n Still, the latest statements come as Trump and his Republican Party have contended with growing discontent with his administration\u2019s policy towards Israel, particularly amid perceptions<\/a> that the Israeli government influenced Trump to launch the US-Israel war against Iran in February.<\/p>\n The conflict, which has driven up petrol prices in the US, has become a key vulnerability ahead of the US midterm elections in November, which will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the US Senate and House of Representatives for Trump\u2019s final two years in office.<\/p>\n