President Donald Trump said he has not focused much on whether he will endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his reelection bid.
“We haven’t even thought about it,” Trump told reporters Tuesday morning before traveling to Alaska. Immediately after, Trump teased that he could wade into the election in the future.
“Well, we may be,” Trump said of backing a candidate. “I may be doing something.”
The elections are set for Oct. 27, but Trump has consistently resisted endorsing Netanyahu despite their long-term relationship and Trump’s past support.
In a 75-minute interview with Time, released earlier this month, Trump repeatedly dodged questions about endorsing Netanyahu but admitted that the prime minister could not be counted out.
“Well, people have written off Bibi many, many times, just like they’ve written off me many, many times,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t underestimate Bibi.”
The election is the first since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks and comes as the Iran war has soured the relationship between the two leaders. The Israeli prime minister has faced blowback over the government’s intelligence and security lapses surrounding the attack.
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According to an Israel Democracy Institute survey last month, “68% of Israelis consider Oct. 7 a central or close to central factor in their decision-making.”
The lack of Trump endorsement does not bode well for Netanyahu, who has long touted Trump’s backing as part of his appeal.