Trump Backs Netanyahu in Final Push Before Israeli Vote

Key points

• Trump issued a 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of Netanyahu on Truth Social, calling him a 'Great Warrior Prime Minister' and a 'partner for peace' against Iran.
• The endorsement comes just nine days before the October 27 election, where most polls show Netanyahu’s far-right coalition falling short of the 61 seats needed to form a government.
• Trump warned that if Israel elects a different leader, the US would have to 'do this work [in Iran] ourselves,' implying a potential shift in US military strategy.
• Netanyahu thanked Trump on X, stating 'Together we will complete the mission,' while his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, dismissed the endorsement as a domestic Israeli issue.
• The endorsement reverses Trump’s previous neutrality, as he had withheld support due to frustrations over Israel’s security failures and the inconclusive outcome of the Iran war.

Background

This endorsement follows a period of strained relations between Trump and Netanyahu since the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2025. Trump had previously declined to endorse Netanyahu, citing disagreements over the war’s outcome and Gaza. The October 27 election is the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attack, with Netanyahu’s coalition facing internal divisions and international criticism over its policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

How outlets are covering it

Axios emphasizes Trump’s private frustrations with Netanyahu, noting that Trump had blamed Netanyahu for Israel’s failures to prevent the 2023 Hamas attack and called him 'his own worst enemy' in private conversations. CBS News highlights the domestic and international criticism of Netanyahu’s government, particularly over the treatment of Palestinians, and notes that the endorsement may not significantly impact the tight race. The Financial Times focuses on the broader geopolitical context, including the failed joint offensive against Iran and the subsequent energy crisis, while Iran International reports on Netanyahu’s vow to topple the Islamic Republic and his claim that 90% of the job is done. The outlets differ in their emphasis on the endorsement’s impact, with Axios and CBS News questioning its effectiveness, while the Financial Times and Iran International frame it as a strategic move in the ongoing Iran conflict.

Why it matters

Trump’s endorsement could influence the outcome of a close Israeli election, potentially affecting US-Israel relations and the future of the Iran conflict. The endorsement also signals a potential shift in US strategy, with Trump warning that the US may take over the fight against Iran if Netanyahu loses. This could have significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets, given the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and rising inflation in the US.

What to watch

The Israeli election is scheduled for October 27, with results expected to determine whether Netanyahu’s coalition can form a government. Trump has indicated that he may resume attacks on Iran after the US midterm elections if Netanyahu remains in power. The outcome of the election will also influence US-Israel relations and the future of the joint US-Israeli strategy against Iran.