“[On Mark Halperin's "2WAY Tonight," the day after Trump's endorsement:] I'm not getting involved in the Israeli elections. … I'm not anti-endorsing him; I'm not pro-endorsing him. … I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on, is the midterms. [He said Trump has] the most effective endorsement in American or international political history.
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Trump Endorses Netanyahu; Vance Declines to Follow
Nine Days Before Israel Votes, Trump Posts a "Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu" and Warns That if Israelis Pick "Anyone Other Than Bibi" the U.S. Will Have to Finish Iran Itself — JD Vance Says "I'm Not Getting Involved in the Israeli Elections," Bernie Sanders Calls It "One Authoritarian Helping Another," and Chris Van Hollen Says "Authoritarians of a Feather Flock Together"
October 20, 2026
What happened▸
On Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, nine days before Israel's Oct. 27 legislative elections, President Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Truth Social. He had held back for months even as Netanyahu's coalition trailed in the polls. Axios described it as the first time a U.S. president had explicitly and publicly endorsed a candidate in an Israeli election. Trump called Netanyahu "a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran." He tied the endorsement to the war, suggesting that if Israel chose "anyone other than Bibi," the United States would have to "do this work ourselves" against Iran. Netanyahu's main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, answered that "the elections are a domestic Israeli issue."
The next day Vice President JD Vance declined to follow, telling Mark Halperin's "2WAY Tonight" that "I'm not getting involved in the Israeli elections," while saying he was "not anti-endorsing him." Democrats condemned the endorsement as authoritarians backing each other: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Analilia Mejia. The Democratic Majority for Israel called it "irresponsible and reckless." Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) welcomed it.
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6 Statements
“[On X and in a statement, reacting to the endorsement:] Authoritarians of a feather flock together. … They started a war together. They crack down on press freedom together. They lie about everything together.
“[On X:] No surprise. Trump just endorsed Netanyahu. Together, they want never-ending war in the Middle East. More death. More destruction. More genocide. … On November 3, we must end Republican control of Congress. We must stop all military aid to Israel.
“[On X, reposting a video in which Netanyahu thanked Trump for the endorsement:] America will always stand with the Jewish State of Israel and our dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has championed our alliance for decades.
“[On X, listing Netanyahu alongside Kim Jong Un, Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin:] [The endorsement] tells us everything we need to know about both of these men. … This guy has a "type."
“[On Truth Social, nine days before the Israeli election:] Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran. … Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself. … If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, [the United States would] have to do this work ourselves. … [Unless Iran changes its ways, rapidly,] we will soon finish the job. … Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu. … BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!