Trump Jokes He Could Run For Israeli PM, Touts ‘99%’ Approval In Country

Trump Jokes He Could Run For Israeli PM, Touts ‘99%’ Approval In Country Published By, Last Updated: May 21, 2026, 09:28 IST Referring to his popularity in Israel, Trump joked that after completing his current term, he might consider entering Israeli politics. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. (AFP) US President Donald Trump has again stirred a political debate after he joked that he could one day run for Prime Minister in Israel, claiming he currently enjoys “99%" support in the country. “I’m right now at 99% in Israel. I could run for prime minister! Maybe after I do this, I’ll go to Israel," the US President said while speaking to reporters. The remarks quickly gained netizens’ attention amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and political uncertainty within Israel. #WATCH | On Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump says, "He'll do whatever I want him to do. He's a very good man. He'll do whatever I want him to do…he's not treated right in Israel, in my opinion. I'm right now at 99% in Israel. I could run for prime… pic.twitter.com/YPnIPe1r6b— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2026 Referring to his popularity in Israel, Trump joked that after completing his current term, he might consider entering Israeli politics. Trump also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and claimed that Netanyahu would work closely with Washington on key matters, adding that the Israeli leader would “do whatever I want him to do." “He’ll do whatever I want him to do. He’s a very good man. He’ll do whatever I want him to do…," he said. Although delivered in a light-hearted tone, Trump’s remarks reflected his long-standing emphasis on his close ties with Israel and his belief that he remains highly popular among Israelis. During his previous presidency, Trump introduced several major pro-Israel measures, including recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, relocating the US embassy to the city, and supporting the Abraham Accords. Trump has made similar claims in the past, previously saying he could “easily" become Israel’s prime minister because of his support among conservative Israelis. The comments also come at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu. His governing coalition is facing pressure after an ultra-Orthodox party backed efforts to dissolve parliament and push for fresh elections over disputes related to military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. If the dissolution bill passes further parliamentary votes, Israel could head to early elections as soon as September. Meanwhile, Trump and Netanyahu disagreed on the next steps in the Iran conflict during a tense one-hour phone call. According to media reports, Netanyahu wanted Israel to restart airstrikes on Iran, while Trump urged giving diplomacy and peace talks more time before returning to military action. As per Axios report, the heated discussion left Netanyahu extremely frustrated. The Israeli leader reportedly doubted the success of negotiations and wanted to continue military action to weaken Iran’s military strength and key infrastructure. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: May 21, 2026, 09:28 IST News world Trump Jokes He Could Run For Israeli PM, Touts ‘99%’ Approval In Country Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...