Despite long history with Netanyahu, Trump hedges as Israel vote nears

Since entering the White House in 2017, Donald Trump has supported a right-wing Israeli agenda and bolstered Netanyahu's political standing. However, as the Israeli elections on October 27, 2026, approach, Trump has taken a cautious stance, avoiding a direct endorsement of Netanyahu despite their close relationship. He dodged three times a direct endorsement in a recent interview, while still defending Netanyahu's leadership. The Trump-Netanyahu relationship appears to be shifting amid changing political landscapes in both Israel and the US.