Trump fully endorses Netanyahu in Israeli election, warns of Iran threat

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Oct. 18, 2026, that he gives a "Complete and Total Endorsement" to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli election.

Trump described Netanyahu as a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and an "even greater Partner for Peace" in the fight against Iran, warning that a change in Israel’s leadership could compel the United States to handle the Iran conflict on its own.

"Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote. "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."

The endorsement stands out because U.S. presidents have traditionally avoided publicly supporting candidates in foreign elections. Trump’s support echoes his past endorsements of allies in other countries, but this is the first time he has backed a candidate in Israel’s parliamentary race.

Israel’s election on Oct. 27 will determine the composition of the 120‑seat Knesset. Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to win roughly 18‑22 seats, while a coalition of right‑religious parties aligned with Likud could reach about 49‑51 seats, still short of a majority. Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party is leading in some polls with an estimated 26 seats.

Netanyahu responded to the endorsement on X, thanking Trump and pledging to “complete the mission” together. The exchange underscores the strategic partnership between the two leaders amid ongoing operations against Iran.

Analysts note that while Trump’s backing may boost Netanyahu’s profile among certain Israeli voters, the election’s outcome will ultimately hinge on coalition negotiations, as no single party can command a majority alone.

As the vote approaches, both campaigns are intensifying their messaging, and the international community is watching to see how the result will shape U.S.–Israel collaboration on regional security, especially concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.