Trump says Netanyahu needs to be re-elected, or else US will have to 'finish the job’ against Iran alone
President Donald Trump is supporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party in the Oct. 27 Knesset elections, urging Israel voters to pick the man he called a "great warrior" and U.S. "partner for peace" amid the multi-front war on Iran and its nuclear weapons aspirations.
"I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times," Trump wrote Sunday morning in a full-throated endorsement of the Likud leader. "Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today."
"This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much," Trump added. "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."
"If Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so," Trump wrote.
"BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Trump concluded.
NETANYAHU REJECTS REPORTS OF A RIFT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, SAYS THE TWO REMAIN ALIGNED ON IRAN
"Thank you, President Trump, for the tremendous support and the joint work," Netanyahu replied on X shortly after. "Together, we will complete the mission."
The Israeli elections are a battle for control of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, which will ultimately decide the next prime minister from a broad coalition. Israelis will vote for party lists, with seats distributed proportionally among parties that clear the 3.25% threshold.
TRUMP WELCOMES NETANYAHU TO WHITE HOUSE AS RAGING IRAN WAR THREATENS TO SOUR US-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP
After the vote, the Israeli president will consult with party leaders and assign a Knesset member — usually the leader best positioned to form a coalition — to build a government; the candidate must secure the support of at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 members.
Isaac Herzog is Israel’s president, but he is not on the ballot and he does not lead a party or bloc.
Current forecasts show Likud winning roughly 18–22 seats, while a Netanyahu-aligned right-religious bloc (which includes other parties) is projected at a total about 49–51 seats — short of a majority — leaving smaller parties and potential coalition partners with the balance of power.