President Donald Trump made an unexpected remark on Tuesday, November 3, during an Election Day appearance on Fox News, suggesting he might move to Israel and pursue a political career there if Americans ever grew tired of him. The President's comments, delivered as Americans headed to the polls for the midterm elections, included a lighthearted suggestion about becoming Israel's prime minister.
"In fact, if people ever got tired of me in the U.S., I’ll move to Israel, become prime minister." President Donald Trump
"In fact, if people ever got tired of me in the U.S., I’ll move to Israel, become prime minister," President Trump declared during the interview. His remarks came amidst a broader discussion on the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem, where he lauded Israel as a crucial American partner and reflected on his administration's foreign policy approach, particularly concerning Iran.
President Trump asserted that he enjoys an "extraordinary 99% approval rating" among Israelis, a figure he claimed put him ahead of virtually every other political leader globally. He went further, stating he has the "highest approval rating of anybody in history," though he did not provide any polling data to substantiate these claims during the broadcast.
Beyond the humorous suggestion of a future in Israeli politics, President Trump reportedly announced a potentially significant shift in financial aid to Israel. During the same Fox News appearance, he stated that the United States would cease providing Israel with $4 billion in annual assistance beginning in 2027. The remarks did not detail how this proposed change would be implemented or whether formal steps had already been taken by the administration to enact the cessation of aid. This announcement represents a substantial development in the financial relationship between the two long-standing allies.
The President's discussion also highlighted his administration's actions involving Iran, which he framed as integral to his broader record of supporting Israel. This aspect of the interview underscored the enduring importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship within President Trump's foreign policy agenda, especially amid ongoing regional tensions involving Tehran.
This is not the first instance of President Trump entertaining the idea of entering Israeli politics. In May, he made a similar jest about potentially running the country, also claiming 99% support among Israelis at that time. His latest comments, therefore, represent a continuation of an idea he has previously raised publicly, rather than an entirely new proposition.
While President Trump depicted himself as overwhelmingly popular in Israel, the domestic political landscape he faces is considerably different. According to figures cited in a report by TMZ, President Trump’s approval rating in the United States stands at approximately 32%. The TMZ report did not identify the polling methodology behind this figure, making a direct comparison between the reported American and Israeli numbers challenging. Even so, President Trump appeared confident that his strong relationship with Israel would provide a welcoming political environment should he ever decide to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
For now, there is no indication that President Trump genuinely intends to relocate to Israel or launch an actual campaign for prime minister. The President remains focused on his administration and the political ramifications of Tuesday’s midterm elections. Nevertheless, his comments offered an unusual glimpse into his perspective on his popularity abroad. While discussing one of America’s closest international partners, President Trump suggested that even if his political fortunes at home were to shift dramatically, he believes he would find overwhelming support in another nation. He delivered this idea in his characteristic style, with a striking declaration about a potential future abroad.
