Brief

Trump publicly backs Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct 27 election

The former U.S. president used a capital‑letter‑filled social‑media post to urge Israelis to vote for Netanyahu, calling him a “Great Warrior”.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:49:06 GMT

Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted a “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 18, urging Israelis to vote for him in the Oct 27 election, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

What happened

In an early‑morning social‑media post uploaded on Monday Australian time, Trump praised Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and a “Partner for Peace” against Iran. He warned that a leader other than Netanyahu would force America to act alone, adding that he was “not inclined to do so.” The post was published at 5:02 am Tel Aviv time and updated at 5:51 am the same day.

What the reports add

The SMH article notes that Trump’s endorsement comes after a period of cooling in the two leaders’ relationship following a stalled war in Iran. It also mentions that Trump did not meet Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, sparking speculation of a snub. The piece cites a comment from Nadav Pollak, a Reichman University lecturer, who questioned the electoral impact of the endorsement.

What was said

Trump’s post read, “Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He added, “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.” Netanyahu responded in a video, thanking Trump for the “extraordinary” endorsement and describing him as the best friend Israel ever had in the White House.

How it came about

Netanyahu has long highlighted his relationship with Trump as a political asset, a theme that featured in Felo’s coverage of the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack shaping the election campaign (see earlier report). The endorsement follows Trump’s recent pattern of backing foreign candidates, including Japan’s Sanae Takaichi and Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella.

Key facts

Donald Trump posted a “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 18, 2026. (smh.com.au)
Trump called Netanyahu a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and warned the U.S. would have to act alone without him. (smh.com.au)
Netanyahu thanked Trump in a video, calling the endorsement “extraordinary”. (smh.com.au)
The endorsement was made ahead of Israel’s Oct 27, 2026 election. (smh.com.au)