"I decided to express support for Netanyahu because we have a good relationship, and that we will continue to do good things together," Trump told N12.
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with N12 News on Sunday that he had always intended to endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but deliberately waited to make his support public.
"I always intended to express support for Bibi," Trump confirmed. "I didn't want to do it too soon."
Trump explained to N12, "I decided to express support for Netanyahu because we have a good relationship, and that we will continue to do good things together."
Asked whether his endorsement meant he would be unable to work with another Israeli prime minister, Trump replied, "Maybe I can work with someone else, and maybe I won't. Why take a chance?!"
Earlier on Sunday, Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu in a post on Truth Social, warning against the election of another Israeli leader.
"If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."
Addressing the Israeli public directly, Trump added, “Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. Bibi Netanyahu will never let you down!”
Netanyahu thanked Trump for the endorsement in a video posted to X/Twitter.
“President Trump, my friend Donald - thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House.”
He added, “Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support.”
US President Donald Trump previously expressed neutrality in the Israeli elections
Trump's endorsement came just days after he declined to publicly back Netanyahu's reelection campaign during an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, despite saying that "they" wanted him involved in the upcoming Knesset elections.
"They'd like me to be," Trump said, adding, "I don't trust anybody, honestly. I don't trust anybody. In the world of politics, I don't trust anybody."
During the interview, Trump acknowledged the success of the US-Israel military partnership and said that he and Netanyahu had maintained "a very good relationship."