Trump endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israel's Oct. 27 election
CNN, PBS NewsHour and The Jerusalem Post reported that Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, Oct. 18, nine days before Israel's Oct. 27 election. PBS reported Trump called Netanyahu a "Great Warrior Prime Minister." CNN quoted Trump as writing that with anyone other than Netanyahu, America would have to do the work itself and he was not inclined to. CNN said Trump had declined to endorse any candidate in a Newsmax interview days earlier. Netanyahu thanked Trump on X. Axios reported most polls show his coalition short of 61 Knesset seats.
A U.S. president openly taking sides in an ally's election is rare, and the message ties American support on Iran to one candidate. That raises the stakes of the vote for U.S. policy in the region.
If you follow U.S. policy on Iran, the post suggests Washington's approach could shift depending on who leads Israel. American taxpayers fund large military aid to Israel, so the outcome matters here too.
Netanyahu's allies say the endorsement shows he has the closest working relationship with the White House and is best placed to manage the Iran confrontation.
Skeptics point to Trump's refusal to endorse in a Newsmax interview just days earlier, and Benzinga reported that prediction-market bettors did not move much toward Netanyahu after the post.
Confirmed: the endorsement and its wording. Unknown: whether it moves Israeli voters. Watch the final Israeli polls this week and any reply from Netanyahu's rivals.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 15 · October 19, 2026