Trump Endorses Netanyahu in Race Where People Still Like Him

There is no doubt that Donald Trump’s endorsement made a difference in the GOP primaries, which is why his party is now saddled with some truly atrocious Senate candidates, such as Ken Paxton and Darline Graham. However, the vocal support of a highly unpopular commander-in-chief is more of a liability in the general election, which is why many Republicans mired in tight races would probably prefer it if he stayed away from their states and districts.

So, what’s a president to do who likes bestowing his endorsement on candidates so that he can later take credit for their success (or pretend none of this happened if they lose)?

Well, on Sunday, Trump weighed in on a race in one of the few places on this planet where he is still popular: Israel.

In a social media post that lacked any subtlety, he threw his support behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting for his political survival in the October 27 election.

The US president said that anybody other than the incumbent would be the “wrong leader” for Israel with the war with Iran still simmering in the region. Trump suggested that without Netanyahu at the helm, “America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so.”

There you have it, Israel: If you don’t do what Trump wants, maybe he’ll stop fighting Iran (which is the opposite of what he is promising Americans, whom he tells that massive attacks will continue after the midterms).

Or, as the president puts it, Netanyahu “is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much.”

Like we said, he is not exactly subtle.

However, in Israel, one of the few countries in which Trump is popular, this endorsement may actually move the needle a bit.

In terms of his approval ratings, it would probably rank even higher than MAGA bastions such as Wyoming, Idaho, or West Virginia.

While Trump, who said two months ago that it would be “most appropriate” if he stayed out of the Israeli election, does not enjoy a 99 percent popularity rating in the country, as he falsely claimed in an interview with Time recently, he does enjoy strong support, especially with right-of-center voters.

But will it be enough to put Netanyahu over the hump? Probably not. The most likely outcome is a deadlocked Knesset, which would result in the prime minister staying on as a caretaker until some sort of coalition government is built or more elections are held.

Israel’s parliament is famously fractured. Right now, 13 different parliamentary factions are represented in the 120-seat Knesset.

What this means is that Trump may soon get another opportunity to make an endorsement in a country in which candidates may actually want one because the US president isn’t completely toxic there — at least not yet.