Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election

President Donald Trump on Oct. 18, 2026, endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu via social media ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 election, first since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Trump called Netanyahu "a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran" and "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself." He threatened to "soon finish the job" on Iran "unless they change their ways, rapidly," adding that with anyone but "Bibi," "America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." Netanyahu posted thanks in Hebrew on X: "Thank you, President Trump, for the tremendous support and work together. Together we will complete the mission!" Likud added a 35-second video of the leaders, who met at the White House on July 28, 2026. In November Trump asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu on corruption charges. A Time interview this month quoted him saying "I'm not involved in politics anymore." Strains included Trump's criticism of an early gas-field attack in the nearly eight-month Iran war, his June "crazy" label for Netanyahu, and Netanyahu's August rejection of Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan. The wire and outlets leave the endorsement's effect on the election unclear.