Trump says he trusts no one in politics including Netanyahu

Uncertainty over endorsement for October 27 election

President Trump stopped short of committing to an endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27 election. During the White House interview, Trump stated that Israelis want him to play a part in the reelection campaign, though he did not commit to joining it.

He told reporters he has not reached a decision on whether to endorse a candidate, noting, "I haven't thought about it. Maybe I'll do something". In an interview with Time magazine published October 1, Trump previously declined to endorse the Prime Minister, stating his priority was helping defend Israel.

Trump claims high popularity among Israeli voters

President Trump claimed that the people of Israel want him involved in the upcoming October 27 election. He asserted that if he were to run for prime minister of Israel, he would receive 99% of the vote.

White House denies election interference

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee rejected as "fake news" a report that the Trump administration was involved in Israeli election politics. He also denied reports that the administration was pushing the Prime Minister to form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot after the election.

Separately, Trump mentioned having productive conversations with Iran, though he did not provide specific details.

Military strategy and partnership with Israel against Iran

President Trump and the Israeli government have defended their military campaign against Iran as necessary to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump described the partnership between Washington and Jerusalem during the war as a very successful military partnership.

He stated that Iran would not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon, noting that such capabilities are buried under thousands of tons of rock. Trump ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, saying they are not necessary as the United States is the greatest nuclear power.

He also ruled out sending American ground troops into the country. Regarding the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, Trump stated that it is not a nuclear weapon but rather an extremely large bomb.

CNN reported that the Pentagon and White House have prepared plans to use this bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, a report Trump neither confirmed nor denied. During the interview, Trump also criticized President Zelensky over strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Conflicting signals on timing of future Iran strikes

President Trump wrote on Truth Social last Thursday that the United States would carry out no further strikes on Iran until after November 3. However, he told reporters on Monday that the election calendar would not dictate his administration's policy toward Tehran.

At a rally in Alaska on Tuesday night, Trump told supporters to wait until they see what the US does to Iran. He suggested further American action against Iran could be imminent, telling the crowd they were going to "do a number".

Regional tensions and domestic political pressure

The war with Iran, which began in February with US-Israeli strikes, has resulted in high global oil prices as Iran targets ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington is currently enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports to keep oil flowing through the waterway.

While the US and Iran have largely held off attacking each other in recent weeks, Trump has said the war could escalate if he cannot secure a satisfactory agreement. Polls indicate the unpopular war and rising fuel prices are hurting the Republican Party, and Trump's approval ratings remain low.

The White House has not commented on the President's recent remarks.

Netanyahu faces legal challenges and election uncertainty

An ex-Shin Bet chief filed a defamation suit against Benjamin Netanyahu, detailing warnings given months before October 7. A separate report stated that the Prime Minister opted against targeting Hamas leaders weeks before the October 7 date.

Israelis are scheduled to elect the 26th Knesset on October 27, and as of Thursday, no bloc was polling at the 61 seats required to form a government.