In a statement that underscored his strong rapport with Israel, former US President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that his popularity in Israel was so high that he could consider running for Prime Minister. This remark came as he commended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the escalating tensions involving Iran. Trump made these comments while addressing questions from reporters about Netanyahu and Israel’s stance on Iran, which were later circulated on social media.
During his remarks, Trump expressed confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership, describing him as a “great guy” and a “very good man” who would follow his advice. He also characterized Netanyahu as a “wartime prime minister” who was not receiving fair treatment in Israel. Trump’s light-hearted suggestion about running for Israeli prime minister was linked to a poll he referenced, claiming he had a 99% approval rating in Israel. “I could run for prime minister,” Trump joked, adding that he had just seen a poll that morning reflecting his high approval.
The comments came amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran, with Trump stating that the United States was nearing a critical juncture in its dealings with Iran. “We’re in the final stages of Iran. We’ll see what happens,” he said, indicating that the US was considering either reaching a deal or taking more severe actions. He further warned that if Iran did not come to an agreement, “we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty,” although he noted he was not in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Israeli politics were also in flux, as lawmakers advanced a bill from Netanyahu’s ruling coalition that could lead to the dissolution of parliament and trigger new elections. Trump criticized the existing leadership structure in Israel, suggesting that Netanyahu was not being treated well by the country’s president. Despite the tense backdrop, diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran reportedly continued, as Trump asserted that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly diminished and cautioned about the potential for future military actions.
