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Politics

Trump endorses Netanyahu for reelection ahead of Israel's October 27 vote

Trump's endorsement comes late in a tight race, after months of withheld support and strategic disagreements.

Updated Oct 19, 2026 · 18:22 UTC9 reports

The short version

  • Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, late in his reelection campaign, after withholding support for months.[PBS NewsHour]
  • Israelis vote October 27 in the first national election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with the race expected to be tight.[PBS NewsHour · The Washington Sun · CBS News · France 24]
  • Reporting says it was not immediately clear what effect the endorsement would have, while many Israelis and commentators remain disappointed over the Iran war.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]
  • Trump's post conditionally threatened renewed action against Iran, saying he might not want to if Netanyahu loses.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]

Key facts

  • Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in a social media post, after withholding support for months as the vote neared.[PBS NewsHour · The Washington Sun · France 24]
  • Israelis are scheduled to vote on October 27, 2026, in the first national election since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.[PBS NewsHour · The Washington Sun · France 24]
  • The absence of Trump's endorsement was viewed as a setback for Netanyahu, who had promoted his close ties to Trump as a campaign selling point.[PBS NewsHour · The Washington Sun · France 24]
  • In the same post, Trump threatened to soon finish the job against Iran unless Iran changes rapidly, but said he might not want to if Netanyahu loses the election.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]
  • Netanyahu thanked Trump on X, and his Likud Party released a 35-second video showing the two leaders together.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]
  • Trump endorsed Netanyahu in past elections and, in November, sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog asking for a pardon on corruption charges.[PBS NewsHour · France 24]
  • Many Israelis, including leading commentators, have expressed disappointment over the inconclusive outcome of the Iran war and Trump's ceasefire proposal.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]

What remains uncertain

  • It is not immediately clear what impact the endorsement will have on what is expected to be a tight race.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]
  • Whether Trump follows through on his conditional threat against Iran is unknown, since the post tied it to Iran changing its behavior and to the election outcome.[PBS NewsHour · CBS News · France 24]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.