Trump endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israel election

President Donald Trump gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his complete and total endorsement on Sunday, nine days before Israel's October 27 election, in which most polls show Netanyahu's coalition short of the 61 seats needed to form a government.

Why it matters: A United States president intervening openly in an allied country's election, for a leader whose coalition is trailing the majority line, ties Washington's remaining leverage in the region to Netanyahu personally keeping power.

Data as of Sunday, October 18, 2026, 11:52 ET. Developing item. The endorsement and the polling position are from Axios, October 18, 2026, read as far as its sign-up gate allowed; the wording of Trump's Truth Social post and Netanyahu's reply are corroborated by SABC News, read in full. The 61-seat figure and the coalition's polling shortfall are Axios's account.

President Donald Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, writing on Truth Social that Netanyahu has been strong, brave and brilliant against tremendous opposition, that he is the kind of partner the United States is demanding of Israel, and that the post should serve as his complete and total endorsement of Netanyahu’s re-election. Axios reported that most polls show Netanyahu’s coalition falling short of the 61 seats needed to form a government, so the intervention lands at the point of his fight for political survival.

Netanyahu thanked Trump on social media, saying together they will complete the mission. Israel votes on October 27, its first election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and the result will either keep Netanyahu in power or replace him with the centrist rivals promising a new era.

Trump endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israel election

Sources