Did Trump’s Move Help Netanyahu Make a Comeback?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that his endorsement was the key factor behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unexpectedly strong performance in Israel’s 26th Knesset (parliamentary) election. According to Trump, the political tide shifted decisively following his formal endorsement, allowing Netanyahu to avoid a crushing defeat and secure a strong position.

In a post on his social media platform, ‘Truth Social,’ on Wednesday morning (October 28), Trump cited political analyst Irving C. Schwartz, noting that the trajectory of the election changed the moment he threw his support behind ‘Bibi’ (Netanyahu). This intervention helped avert a potential defeat for the successful Prime Minister, with the situation now appearing to lean toward either a dead heat or a victory for Netanyahu. Trump emphasized that this shift occurred solely because of his endorsement—a gesture he attributed to his desire for the well-being of the Middle East, Israel, and the United States.

Later, while boarding the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, Trump reiterated this view in response to questions from reporters. He pointed out that exit polls had proven inaccurate, as Netanyahu’s party performed significantly better than anticipated. Trump stated that the announcement of his support provided a major boost to Netanyahu. Even prominent figures in Israel have acknowledged that Netanyahu put up a much stronger fight than expected—a performance currently viewed as either a tie or a potential win.

Although an outright majority remains elusive, Trump’s public endorsement has injected fresh political energy into Netanyahu’s camp. However, the extent to which this international political backing will influence the complex process of forming a coalition government in Israel will only become clear once the final results are announced.

Source: The Jerusalem Post