Analysts and US liberal groups raise eyebrows at Trump endorsement of Netanyahu

JTA — A day after US President Donald Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in next week’s national election, US policy analysts, Democratic lawmakers and liberal advocacy groups slammed the decision. Trump announced his support for Netanyahu, who is running for reelection, in a Sunday Truth Social post that described the Israeli leader as “a Great Warrior Prime Minister” and a critical partner in eliminating the Iranian threat. Netanyahu has been trailing former IDF chief-of-staff Gadi Eisenkot in recent surveys, although neither are predicted to be able to easily form a ruling coalition. Tali deGroot, vice president of political and digital strategy for the liberal Zionist group J Street, described Trump’s declaration as “an endorsement of endless war for Israelis,” in a statement sent to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. She warned of “endless occupation and control of Palestinian life and land, and Israel’s growing isolation on the world stage.” “The president is once again acting against the wishes of American taxpayers and choosing to uphold a failed, unpopular foreign policy that has brought devastation to Israelis, Palestinians and countless civilians,” deGroot added. A spokesperson for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, meanwhile, said that the lobby had no comment about the endorsement. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Newsletter email address Get it By signing up, you agree to the terms David Makovsky, director of the Program on Arab-Israel Relations at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, criticized Trump’s decision, writing on X that “in one fell swoop, Trump has broken with the longstanding US practice of avoiding explicit endorsements in Israeli elections.” The president, Makovsky added, went a step further by threatening to sever a partnership against Iran if Israelis choose a different leader. US President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House, October 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Jose Luis Magana) “It is up to the Israeli people to choose their own leader and threatening that the US will walk away from the conflict with Iran is beyond stunning,” Makovksy said. Makovsky also pointed out that “a Trump endorsement is no electoral guarantee,” noting that Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s support for Viktor Orbán in Hungary did not end in a victory. Advertisement “The ultimate test is assembling a 61-seat Knesset majority,” Makovsky added. “Yet Netanyahu appears more focused on preventing an Eisenkot-led coalition from reaching that threshold than on demonstrating a viable path to 61 seats himself.” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, offered another scathing perspective, observing that “authoritarians of a feather flock together.” “They started a war together,” Van Hollen stated. “They crack down on press freedom together. They lie about everything together.” US Senator Chris Van Hollen speaks on Capitol Hill, May 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Jose Luis Magana) Rep. Analilia Mejia, a New Jersey Democrat running for reelection, said that the endorsement “tells us everything we need to know about both of these men.” She then went on to list Netanyahu, North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that “this guy has a ‘type.’” On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Republican from Florida, reposted a video in which Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support. The congressman then added that “America will always stand with the Jewish State of Israel and our dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has championed our alliance for decades.” Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said he believes that “President Trump is incredibly popular with the people of Israel,” in a written statement to JTA. Advertisement “His support will carry considerable weight as Israelis make their choice for Prime Minister in a pivotal election this month,” Brooks added. Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, holds up a kippah with the name ‘Trump’ emblazoned on it, onstage during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 16, 2024. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) American Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach likewise celebrated the endorsement “by our great President Trump,” writing on X that he has “known and loved BIBI Netanyahu for some 35 years.” Conservative radio personality Mark Levin described Trump’s Truth Social post as “an extraordinarily strong statement,” while accusing the opposition of “barking about election interference.” “Trump makes clear it’s also in our national security interest for Netanyahu to remain PM,” Levin stated, calling complaints “unserious and a partisan political whine.” Conservative influencer Evan Kilgore, on the other hand, fumed at Trump’s decision. Kilgore, whose X profile says “Christ is King,” announced that he is “so done with the GOP,” following Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu. Kilgore described Trump as “TOTALLY fu*king subverted by Jewish and Zionist interests.” Illustrative: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, is depicted shaking hands with US President Donald Trump in an election campaign posters that hangs on the headquarters of Netanyahu’s Likud party in central Tel Aviv, as seen in a video published on August 1, 2019. (Screen capture: Youtube/Benjamin Netanyahu) Political analysts are divided as to whether Trump’s official support would have any sway on the results of an election 6,000 miles away. Joyce Karam, editor-in-chief of the Washington-based site Al-Monitor, described the endorsement as a signal to both Israel and Iran that renewed escalation and a push for regime collapse could occur after the US midterm elections on November 3. She also predicted that Trump’s backing could tip the balance in a tight race where neither side holds a majority. However, Dov Waxman, director of the Israel Studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles, expressed doubt that support from Trump, who has become less popular in Israel, could significantly influence Netanyahu’s election chances. “For a long time, most polls have shown his bloc falling well short of a parliamentary majority,” Waxman added. Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world. 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