My Endorsement Saved Netanyahu From Defeat: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that his endorsement reversed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election trajectory, turning a likely defeat into a competitive race or potential victory.
Mr. Trump made the assertion in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday (October 28). Despite leading in partial results, Netanyahu has yet to secure the majority required to form a government.
Mr. Trump wrote that the election dynamics shifted immediately following his endorsement, adding that his actions were guided by the best interests of the Middle East, Israel, and the United States. He later reiterated to reporters that his support played a key role in strengthening Netanyahu’s political standing.
Partial results from Tuesday’s election for the 120-seat Knesset show Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc leading. With over half the votes counted by Wednesday morning, his coalition held 55 seats, while the opposition bloc held 49 to 50 seats, and Arab-led parties were projected to win 15 to 16 seats.
Forming a government requires 61 seats, leaving Netanyahu’s bloc six seats short of a majority. As the opposition also faces a difficult path to a majority, coalition negotiations with smaller parties will prove decisive.
While the precise impact of Mr. Trump’s endorsement remains uncertain, the U.S. President attributes the bloc’s stronger-than-projected performance to his backing. Final seat totals may shift as vote counting continues.
