Trump: Netanyahu doing well after I backed him in election

US President Donald Trump addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political standing in a brief interview with Axios reporter Barak Ravid. The American president said that initially he received difficult and concerning reports about Netanyahu's prospects in the political arena, but the picture emerging now is completely different. According to Trump, Netanyahu is currently in quite a good position.

Trump also addressed his direct involvement and the weight of his words on Israel's political scene, noting that he heard the public support and backing he gave Netanyahu made a significant difference in his favor.

When asked whether he intends to actively intervene in efforts to form a unity government led by Netanyahu, Trump replied that he has not given it thought so far, but added that he will examine the matter going forward.

The remarks come less than 24 hours after Israel's election, in which no bloc has 61 mandates, though Netanyahu's bloc appears to lead by several seats over the change bloc, not counting the Arab parties. Trump issued two public statements of support for Netanyahu during the election campaign.

Netanyahu in speech (Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Yesterday Trump addressed the Israeli election results in a message posted on Truth Social, claiming that his public support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led to the dramatic narrowing of the gaps at the polls.

"When President Trump expressed support for Bibi Netanyahu, the whole trend reversed," the post stated, quoting another source. "And now, instead of a crushing defeat for a distinguished prime minister, it looks like we're facing a dramatic tie after a major narrowing of the gaps, and perhaps even a Netanyahu victory." The post continued: "All this happened after President Trump expressed support for him, a president who wants only the good of the Middle East, Israel and the United States of America."

At the end of a campaign rally in Texas, Trump spoke with reporters and addressed the Iranian threat and contacts between the countries at length. "I think we're in a very good position with Iran," Trump told reporters. "The question is when I want to finish it. That's just the question, when I want to finish it. They want to make a deal, but they like to drag it out."

Trump elaborated on the economic and military damage Iran has suffered: "We crushed their military. We crushed their economy. They can't sell oil. They can't do anything. They want to make a deal, but they like to drag it out." Asked whether he is considering a military strike against Iran, he replied: "I can't say, but everything is possible."

In a speech Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered at Binyenei Ha'uma early in the morning, after the election exit polls were published, he declared: "I said and I repeat, we must form a strong national right-wing government. We must not endanger Israel and form a government that relies on anti-Zionist parties."