United States President Donald Trump has made a light-hearted remark suggesting that he could one day contest for the position of Prime Minister of Israel, claiming he is “extremely popular” among the Israeli public.
Trump made the comments on Wednesday, 20 May, while speaking to reporters before attending the annual graduation ceremony at the United States Coast Guard Academy. During the exchange with journalists, he jokingly stated that his level of public support in Israel was so high that he could easily become the country’s head of government.
Addressing reporters, Trump said that after completing his term as President of the United States, he might travel to Israel and run for the office of prime minister. He further claimed that he had seen a new opinion poll earlier that morning showing that approximately 99 per cent of Israelis fully supported him.
However, Trump did not specify which polling organisation conducted the survey or what the poll measured. The White House also did not immediately provide clarification regarding the claim or the survey referenced in his remarks.
The comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, particularly surrounding Iran and regional security issues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained one of Trump’s closest international political allies over the years. Netanyahu has served multiple terms as Israel’s prime minister since first taking office in 1996 and remains a dominant figure in Israeli politics.
During the same interaction with reporters, Trump was asked about his recent communications with Netanyahu, including telephone conversations and bilateral relations between the two leaders. Responding positively, the US President praised the Israeli prime minister, describing him as “a very good man” and saying that Netanyahu would act in a manner aligned with American interests.
Trump also referred to Netanyahu as a capable “wartime prime minister”. He argued that the Israeli leader was not receiving what he believed to be sufficient recognition within Israel’s domestic political environment during the current period of regional tension and conflict.
Below is a summary of the key details related to Trump’s remarks and the broader political context:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Donald Trump |
| Current Position | President of the United States |
| Occasion | Annual graduation ceremony at the US Coast Guard Academy |
| Date of Remarks | 20 May |
| Main Comment | Suggested he could run for Israeli prime minister |
| Claimed Support Level | Approximately 99 per cent |
| Survey Details | Not specified |
| Current Israeli Prime Minister | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Netanyahu’s Initial Term | Began in 1996 |
| Wider Context | Regional tensions involving Iran and Israel |
Trump’s remarks were made in a humorous context, but they also highlighted the longstanding political relationship between his administration and Netanyahu’s government. The comments drew attention because of the continuing strategic ties between the United States and Israel amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.