Trump Takes Credit for Netanyahu's Election Showing After His Endorsement

US President Donald Trump said his endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was responsible for a late turnaround in Israel's October 27 election, posting on Truth Social on October 28 that the "whole tide turned" after his backing and that what could have been a "decisive defeat" for Netanyahu instead became a "big come-from-behind stalemate, or even a WIN," according to a report by The Times of Israel. It was not entirely clear from the post whether Trump was summarizing media analysis or describing his own view.

Trump formally endorsed Netanyahu on October 18, nine days before the vote, calling him a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and emphasizing their shared approach to confronting Iran. Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump said the endorsement "had helped him a lot" and that he had "heard my endorsement made a big difference for Bibi."

With 85.6% of votes counted, Netanyahu's bloc held 53 seats to 48 for Gadi Eisenkot's opposition, both short of the 61-seat majority needed to govern, while Arab-led parties unexpectedly gained a combined 19 seats that could leave them as kingmakers in coalition talks. Asked about a possible role in helping broker a unity government, Trump said only, "I will take a look."

Netanyahu's campaign had already leaned heavily on the endorsement in its final stretch, urging voters to weigh the American president's support for his reelection.