US President Donald Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, nine days before Israel's October 27 election, praising his leadership and warning that the United States would have to confront Iran without Israel's support if Netanyahu were replaced, he said in a Truth Social post on Sunday.
"To the great people of Israel," Trump began, "Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51-year-old chant, “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan."
The endorsement marks a reversal from Trump's position during a Newsmax interview on Thursday, when he refused to endorse any candidate, including Netanyahu.
Trump, on Sunday, portrayed Netanyahu as indispensable to US efforts to counter Iran, suggesting that any alternative Israeli leader would leave Washington to confront the Iranian threat on its own.
"If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."
Trump highlights Netanyahu's leadership through Israel's crises
Trump praised Netanyahu as "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself," highlighting his leadership and resilience amid the election campaign.
The US president also praised Netanyahu's leadership amid the challenges Israel has faced since the October 7 massacre, highlighting his resilience under extraordinary pressure.
"Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived! I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure - But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today."
Trump pledges full support for Netanyahu ahead of election, the partner America needs
Trump went on to describe Netanyahu as "the kind of partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a country for which it has done so much."
He concluded with an explicit endorsement of Netanyahu's reelection bid.
"Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Thank you for your attention to this matter."