Trump Endorses Netanyahu Days Before Israeli Election as Iran War Tests Friendship

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S.

President Donald Trump during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec.

29, 2025 —Jim Watson—AFP/Getty Images With days to go before a crucial general election in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a last-minute endorsement for re-election on Sunday from his longtime friend, U.S.

President Donald Trump .

“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday.

“Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel.” It’s a ringing, albeit late, recommendation for someone Trump hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with in recent months over how Netanyahu’s government has navigated the Middle East conflict.

Trump explained his delayed endorsement to Axios reporter Barak Ravid , saying that he’d always meant to endorse Netanyahu because they “have a good relationship, and because we’ll continue to do good things together.” Trump said in his post that, if Israel were to have “the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi,” the U.S. would be left alone to face the Iran threat.

The U.S. and Israel jointly struck Iran in late February, kickstarting a conflict that has not only upended global markets but also thrust Middle Eastern regional security into turmoil.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself,” Trump added, in apparent reference to Netanyahu’s domestic challenges, including a corruption trial, some of which the U.S.

President has previously tried to influence .

“Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived!” Trump’s endorsement comes just before Israelis head to the polling booths on Oct.

27, some three years after the country’s war with terror group Hamas ignited.

Since then, Netanyahu has been criticized by opponents for failing to deliver on his promise of restoring regional security.

Public disillusionment with Netanyahu was among several factors that led to the formation of the Yashar! (“Straight!”) Party, whose founder, former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, is challenging Netanyahu for the premiership.