[89588] Donald Trump in an interview with Kan News: "It is likely that I will support Netanyahu, but he needs to be more rational"

Complexity in relations: Donald Trump responds regarding Netanyahu and Iran agreements

In a series of statements published on June 18, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other pressing issues. In an interview granted to Kan News and quoted extensively by journalists and senior figures in the Israeli media, Trump declared that "it is very likely that I will support Netanyahu in the upcoming elections." However, the former president clarified that he still "needs to see who is running" against him, and added the qualified remark that Netanyahu "needs to be more rational."

Trump's messages received widespread resonance in various media outlets in Israel. While channels such as Kol HaHadashot and Rega Hadashot, which present a line identified with support for Netanyahu, emphasized the very intention of political support, reporters Michael Shemesh and Amir Ettinger and Yuval Segev presented the full quote, including the demand for "rationality" on Netanyahu's part and Trump's willingness to meet with him.

Conversely, ynet news chose to place Trump's words in more critical contexts. In another flash, ynet reported on Trump's remarks regarding criticism of an agreement with Iran, where he called the critics "zealots, bad or stupid." This interpretation by ynet was perceived as one that emphasizes Trump's aggressive approach toward his opponents, in contrast to other reports that focused mainly on the declaration of personal support for the Prime Minister.

The statements mark the continuation of the complex dynamic between the leaders, where on the one hand there is a noticeable desire to strengthen the political alliance ahead of the elections, and on the other hand, an open demand arises from Trump for a change in Netanyahu's diplomatic or managerial line.