Trump says he trusts 'no one' in politics ahead of Israeli election

Former US President Donald Trump has sparked political debate over his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after responding to a question about his trust in Netanyahu by saying, "To be honest, I trust no one... in the world of politics, I trust no one." The remarks come just days before Israel’s scheduled election on October 27, which observers have described as a blow to Netanyahu ahead of a crucial vote.

Trump made the comments during an interview with US outlet Newsmax, when asked directly whether he trusts Netanyahu. Trump gave a broad answer that did not mention Netanyahu by name, but reignited discussion about the nature of their relationship during a politically sensitive period.

When asked if he planned to participate in Netanyahu’s election campaign, Trump noted that Israeli officials would like him to get involved, but he stopped short of committing to participate or offering direct electoral support.

At the same time, according to Al Arabiya, Trump emphasized that his relationship with Netanyahu remains very good, praising what he described as a successful military partnership between the United States and Israel, especially in the context of confronting Iran.

Analysts believe that Trump’s combination of praise for bilateral ties and his refusal to endorse Netanyahu’s campaign highlights the distinction between ongoing strategic cooperation and his stance on the prime minister’s political future. Trump reaffirmed the former, while leaving the latter unresolved.

These developments come ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, amid close scrutiny of Washington’s position on the country’s political competition. Trump’s stance could play a significant role in the electoral debate, given the prominence of his relationship with Netanyahu in Israeli political discourse.