President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he could run for prime minister in Israel due to his high popularity in the country.
The comments highlight the president's perceived influence over Israeli leadership and his self-assessment of his standing within the region's political landscape.
Trump made the remarks during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., which focused on Iran and potential military strikes [1, 2]. During the session, he discussed his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his standing among the Israeli public.
"I'm right now at 99% in Israel, I could run for prime minister," Trump said [1]. He said that his popularity in the country is at 99% [2].
Beyond his popularity, Trump spoke on his level of control over the Israeli government's current leadership. He said that Netanyahu will do whatever he wants him to do [1].
The president used the briefing to praise Netanyahu while asserting that his personal influence ensures a cooperative relationship between the two nations. The remarks come as the U.S. continues to navigate complex security dynamics regarding Iran, a central theme of the briefing [1, 2].
Trump did not provide specific polling data or a timeline for any potential political move in Israel, but he framed the possibility as a reflection of his strong ties to the state [1].
“"I'm right now at 99% in Israel, I could run for prime minister."”
These statements underscore a strategy of projecting absolute influence over foreign allies to signal strength to adversaries, particularly Iran. By claiming nearly universal popularity and direct control over a foreign head of state, the President emphasizes a personalized approach to diplomacy over traditional institutional agreements.
