Trump declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of 27 October Israeli election
In an interview with TIME, Donald Trump avoided backing Benjamin Netanyahu for another term, said he hears no bad things about challenger Gadi Eisenkot, and warned against underestimating Netanyahu.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
US President Donald Trump declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another term in an interview with TIME published on Thursday 1 October. Anadolu AgencyN “US President Donald Trump declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another term in office ahead of upcoming elections” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The Jerusalem PostRC “Trump also refused to endorse Netanyahu directly in the upcoming elections during the interview” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗ Asked whether Netanyahu should get another term in the 27 October elections, Trump said he was "not involved in politics anymore" and, pressed again, that he wanted to help Israel defend itself. Anadolu AgencyN “"Well, I can only say that I'm not involved in politics anymore, except that we're popular—,"”“"No, my primary thing—I do want to help them defend Israel,"” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The Jerusalem Post reports that Trump steered the conversation away three times when asked directly. The Jerusalem PostRC “steering the conversation away three times when asked directly whether the prime minister should have another term in office” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗
Asked about opposition contender and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Trump said he did not hear bad things about him. Anadolu AgencyN “Trump said he did not "hear bad things about him,"” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The Jerusalem PostRC “Trump said: "I don't hear bad things about him."” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗ Trump also cautioned against writing Netanyahu off, saying he has been written off many times, as he has. Anadolu AgencyN “"I wouldn't underestimate Bibi."” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The Jerusalem PostRC “"people have written off Bibi many, many times, just like they've written off me many, many times."” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗ According to the Jerusalem Post, Trump also said he does not believe reports that Egypt or the UAE warned Netanyahu in advance of the 7 October Hamas attack, reasoning that Netanyahu would have acted had he known. The Jerusalem PostRC “he does not believe reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned in advance by Egypt or the United Arab Emirates”“"I think if he would have known, he would have done something about it,"” Read at The Jerusalem Post ↗
Anadolu says Trump claimed his popularity among Israelis reaches "like 99%", and that his relationship with Netanyahu is said to have become more strained over the war in Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Gaza. Anadolu AgencyN “Trump's relationship with Netanyahu is said to have become more strained in recent months due to the war in Iran”“his popularity reaches "like 99%" due to past policies” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on the non-endorsement as a diplomatic signal, adding context of strained Trump-Netanyahu ties.
- Emphasis
- The refusal to endorse, Trump's popularity claim, and the reported strain over Iran, Lebanon and Gaza.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Trump's remarks on whether Netanyahu was warned before 7 October.
- For example
-
“avoiding direct backing of his long-time ally in an interview published on Thursday” — Anadolu Agency
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on Trump's remarks about the 7 October warning reports, with the non-endorsement as a second point; the story is labelled developing.
- Emphasis
- Trump's defence of Netanyahu on the 7 October warning claims, and the repeated deflection on endorsement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the reported strain in the relationship or Trump's remark about his own popularity in Israel.
- For example
-
“Trump says he doesn't believe Netanyahu was warned about Oct. 7 by Egypt, UAE” — The Jerusalem Post
“seen by many as the frontrunner to defeat Netanyahu in the election” — The Jerusalem Post
What every side reports
- Trump declined to endorse Netanyahu in a TIME interview published 1 October.
- Trump said he does not hear bad things about Gadi Eisenkot.
- Trump said he would not underestimate Netanyahu, who has been written off many times like Trump himself.
Where accounts differ
-
When the interview took place
- Centre
- Anadolu says the interview was conducted on Monday and published Thursday.
- Right
- The Jerusalem Post describes the interview as being with Time 'on Thursday'.
Donald Trump person
Says he is not involved in politics and wants to help Israel defend itself; avoids endorsing but warns against underestimating Netanyahu.
“"No, my primary thing—I do want to help them defend Israel,"” — Anadolu Agency
Benjamin Netanyahu person
Not quoted directly; coverage presents him as a long-time ally facing a contested election.
“avoiding direct backing of his long-time ally” — Anadolu Agency
Gadi Eisenkot person
Not quoted; described as an opposition contender and former military chief, and by the Jerusalem Post as seen by many as the frontrunner.
“Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot, seen by many as the frontrunner to defeat Netanyahu in the election” — The Jerusalem Post
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
-
Trump declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections
Neutral Straight report centred on the non-endorsement, with background on strained relations.
Right1 article
-
Trump says he doesn't believe Netanyahu was warned about Oct. 7 by Egypt, UAE
Neutral Brief developing item leading with the Oct. 7 warning remarks, then the repeated deflection on endorsement.
- 1 Oct 12:54 First Anadolu AgencyN Trump declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections
- 1 Oct 13:32 +38m The Jerusalem PostRC Trump says he doesn't believe Netanyahu was warned about Oct. 7 by Egypt, UAE
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.