US President Donald Trump claimed he is the “most popular person” in Israel and suggested he could become the country’s prime minister, citing what he described as a 99% approval rating among Israelis during a telephone interview with Fox News’ Fox & Friends on Tuesday, November 3.
“I will say this, in Israel, I’m at 99%,” Trump said, referring to his approval rating.
“You know when this is over, I could go to Israel and become prime minister,” Trump said during the interview, which aired on the day of the 2026 US midterm elections.
“I’m very much Israel-influent,” Trump added.
Trump’s remarks came during a discussion about his administration’s reported plan to end nearly $4 billion in annual US military assistance to Israel by the end of 2026. He cited Israel’s economic strength and the political criticism Republicans face over continued American support for the Jewish state.
“Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we’re stopping,” Trump said, claiming that Israel was “fine with it.”
Asked why the US would end its financial assistance, Trump argued that Israel no longer needed the funding.
“If they did need it, I would say keep going.”
Trump further explained that the US had provided Israel with $4 billion annually because of the countries’ close relationship, describing Israel as “Israel is our number one”
Trump previously claimed 99% approval rating in Israel
Trump made similar remarks in May while speaking to reporters about negotiations with Iran at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, again suggesting that his popularity in Israel could allow him to pursue the leadership role.
“I’m right now at 99% in Israel. I could run for prime minister, so maybe after I do this, I’ll go to Israel, run for prime minister. I had a poll this morning. I’m 99%. So that’s good.”
However, it remains unclear which polls Trump was referring to or whether any publicly available polling supports his claimed 99% approval rating.
