From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
‘When Trump endorsed Bibi’: US president credits his backing of Netanyahu for PM’s electoral boost
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Donald Trump credits his endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for boosting the Israeli premier in Tuesday’s Knesset election.
“‘When President Trump endorsed Bibi Netanyahu, the whole tide turned, and now, rather than a decisive defeat for a great prime minister, it looks like a big come-from-behind stalemate, or even a WIN for Netanyahu. It all took place AFTER the endorsement by President Trump, who only wants what is good for the Middle East, Israel, and the United States of America!'” Trump writes on Truth Social.
The entire post is written as a quote, and it’s unclear whether Trump is quoting an analyst he heard on cable TV news or speaking about himself in the third person.
Trump is separately asked by reporters about the Israeli election after attending a rally in Texas.
“From exit polls, I’m hearing [Netanyahu] was doing very well. I think when the endorsement went out, it had helped him a lot,” Trump says.
Asked if he has spoken to Netanyahu since the results started coming in, Trump says that he hasn’t.
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