Trump Denies Netanyahu Lobbying for Endorsement
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
U.S. President Donald Trump denied reports that his second endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to lobbying by the Israeli leader's circle. Trump stated the post was his initiative, citing Netanyahu's good work under difficult conditions. The endorsement came amid reports of Netanyahu's "political desperation" and follows earlier calls for Netanyahu's re-election. Israeli politician Gadi Eisenkot has criticized U.S. interference in the elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Donald Trump denied reports that Benjamin Netanyahu lobbied him for an endorsement.
- Trump stated his second endorsement of Netanyahu was his own initiative.
- Trump cited Netanyahu's "outstanding" leadership in "wartime" conditions.
- Sources claimed Netanyahu showed "political desperation" and intensified pressure on Trump.
- Trump's endorsement was seen as interference by Israeli politician Gadi Eisenkot.
U.S. President Donald Trump has categorically denied reports that his second endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu on Truth Social was the result of persistent lobbying by Israeli leadership. Axios, citing its own sources, had reported that the Israeli Prime Minister's circle actively urged the U.S. President to reiterate his support for Netanyahu ahead of a crucial vote.
Responding to journalists' questions about the nature of this unexpected renewed gesture, Trump stated that he had never had such conversations with the Israeli Prime Minister. He asserted that the post was published solely on his own initiative, driven by his personal assessment that Netanyahu "did a very good job as Prime Minister under very difficult circumstances."
Trump's October 26 post urged Israelis to remember that "Bibi is an outstanding Prime Minister who is leading the country in wartime!" He also referenced past animosity, stating, "Israel was called the 'Little Satan' and the United States the 'Big Satan.' That was said by very evil people. The chants of 'Death to America, Death to Israel' that you hear all over the world should not be happening anymore, and they are not going to happen anymore. Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister. We must finish what we started!"
Two American sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that Netanyahu and his close associates had intensified pressure on Trump for further statements of support, with one source describing Netanyahu as showing "signs of political desperation."
Axios previously reported that Netanyahu and Trump had spoken twice in the preceding three days, with the Israeli Prime Minister reportedly suggesting specific wording for new statements. An Israeli source familiar with these efforts told Axios that Netanyahu had also proposed Trump speak with Israeli journalists to reconfirm his support. Trump had also suggested that electing a different candidate could impact U.S.-Israel relations, writing that if Israel had "the wrong leader, meaning anyone other than Bibi, America would have to do the job itself, and I am not inclined to do that," in reference to confronting Iran.
Trump's first call for votes for Netanyahu, stating he "will never let you down," was published on October 18. Since then, several Israeli politicians, including Gadi Eisenkot, and American commentators have sharply criticized Trump's involvement in Israel's internal elections, with Eisenkot requesting the U.S. administration not interfere.
Mentioned
