Donald Trump appears to be signalling distance from Benjamin Netanyahu amid renewed tensions in the Middle East and reports of friction between the two.
The US president questioned whether the Israeli prime minister would run in elections expected in the coming months, telling ABC that Netanyahu is a “wartime prime minister” who has had an “amazing career.”
Speaking to ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl, Trump said: “I don’t know, he’s had an amazing career. Does he want to continue? You know, he’s a wartime prime minister. Very soon we’re going to win the war one way or another.”
Trump also told me its an open question whether Netanyahu will run for re-election, wondering, “If Bibi even wants to continue."
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) June 9, 2026
"I don't know, he's had an amazing career. Does he want to continue? Because, you know he's a wartime prime minister. We will very shortly win the war…
Trump, who himself cannot theoretically seek a third term, added that he too is a “wartime president.”
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has given no indication that he will not take part in this year’s elections, despite ongoing scandals. Analysts note he is already operating in a “pre-election mode”, even though the vote – due by 27 October – has not yet been officially scheduled, according to The Times of Israel.
