Trump says he never discussed second Netanyahu endorsement
The president's denial contradicts accounts from US officials who say the Israeli PM made intensive efforts to secure further support before the vote.
By Giulia Donovan ·
President Donald Trump denied on Monday that he discussed issuing an additional endorsement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The denial came as he boarded Air Force One for a flight to a campaign rally in Mississippi. Reporters asked him directly whether Netanyahu had requested the second statement of support. Trump replied, “I never spoke about it.”
The president stated that he had already provided both endorsements he intended to give. “I put out both endorsements. I put out both,” Trump said. He added that he believed Netanyahu had performed well under trying conditions. Trump’s comments directly contradict information provided to The Jerusalem Post by US officials. Those officials said Netanyahu had made intensive efforts to persuade Trump to issue another public statement.
According to those officials, the initial endorsement did not produce a significant shift in the polls. This lack of movement motivated the Israeli leadership to seek further backing. Axios reported that Netanyahu spoke with Trump twice within a three-day period. The reports indicate the prime minister asked Trump to reinforce his public support. Netanyahu even suggested possible wording for new endorsements. He also requested that Trump speak with Israeli journalists to emphasize his backing.
The Likud party, Netanyahu’s political group, denied the reports that the prime minister had requested a new endorsement from the US president. The party’s statement stands in contrast to the claims made by administration insiders and media reports.
During the same interview, Trump addressed Brazil’s presidential election. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Trump said he liked Lula and got along with him well. However, he criticized the conduct of the vote counting. “I just think it had a very bad look. The election, the way it was tabulated,” Trump said. He noted that the extension given to voters was very strange.
Trump’s remarks referred to a decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court. The court extended voting by two hours during the second round of the election. The extension followed complaints about disruptions to public transportation. The decision sparked political controversy in Brazil. Trump also stated that he was not running Brazil while running the USA.
The exchange took place as Trump traveled to Mississippi for a campaign stop. The timing of the comments coincided with the final stretch of Israel’s election cycle. Trump’s refusal to discuss a third endorsement leaves the status of US backing for Netanyahu in the lead-up to the vote unchanged from his previous statements.
