Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu a day after Trump backs him for re-election
In short
Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Mark Halperin that he is "not getting involved in Israeli elections", a day after President Donald Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Vance said he endorses American candidates and is focused on the midterms. Israel's election is on Oct. 27, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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Vice President JD Vance declined on Monday to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election bid. In an interview with Mark Halperin on "2WAY Tonight", Vance said: "I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on in the midterms. So I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections." Fox News, citing Politico, and The Hill reported the remarks. The Hill said the interview took place on Air Force Two. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Vance also said: "I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him." Fox News said he made clear his decision should not be interpreted as opposition to Netanyahu. CNBC wrote that Vance said he was not criticizing Netanyahu. Vance also said Trump has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history, according to Fox News and CNBC. The Associated Press and The Seattle Times quote him as saying "most influential". [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The remarks came after Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday in a Truth Social post. Fox News quoted Trump giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement" and calling Netanyahu "a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran". The Hill quoted Trump writing: "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." Netanyahu thanked Trump, saying Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
The Wall Street Journal gave Oct. 27 as the date of Israel's election and said Vance split from Trump. CNBC said the vote is the first national election since Hamas attacked Israel in late 2023. [ 1 , 3 ]
The Associated Press reported that Vance was travelling to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley of North Carolina and that he has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the US alliance with Israel. CNBC and the Associated Press noted that Vance campaigned for Viktor Orban, then Hungary's prime minister, whose party later lost the election. CNBC said Vance said in June that Israel has almost no friends left in the world, and The Hill reported that earlier this year he acknowledged situations where US and Israeli interests diverge. CNBC also said US public support for Israel has fallen sharply. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Vance's position differs from Trump's public backing of Netanyahu ahead of Israel's election, which CNBC describes as the first national election since the Hamas attack in late 2023. Outlets also link the remarks to debate in the US over Israel and to Vance's earlier comments on Israel.
Key facts
- Vance declined on Monday to endorse Netanyahu's re-election bid, saying "I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections." [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Vance said: "I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him." [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- Vance said he endorses American candidates and is focused on the midterms. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump endorsed Netanyahu in a Truth Social post on Sunday. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- The Wall Street Journal gave Oct. 27 as the date of Israel's election. [ 1 ]
- The interview was with Mark Halperin on "2WAY Tonight". [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu's re-election bid and said he is not getting involved in Israeli elections. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump endorsed Netanyahu the day before Vance's remarks, in a Truth Social post praising him as "a Great Warrior Prime Minister". [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- Vance previously campaigned for Viktor Orban, then Hungary's prime minister, whose party later lost the parliamentary election. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Netanyahu thanked Trump for his endorsement. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- How Vance's remarks should be read. The Wall Street Journal summary says Vance split from Trump, while Fox News says Vance made clear his decision should not be interpreted as opposition to Netanyahu.
- Exact wording of Vance's remark about Trump's endorsement. Fox News and CNBC quote him as saying Trump has the "most effective endorsement"; the Associated Press and The Seattle Times quote "most influential endorsement".
- Netanyahu's title. The Associated Press and The Seattle Times call him Israeli president, while the other outlets call him prime minister.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Wall Street Journal published its report that Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu. [ 1 ]
- Fox News published its report on the interview, citing Politico. [ 2 ]
- CNBC published its report on Vance's remarks. [ 3 ]
- The Associated Press published its report, noting Vance was travelling to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley of North Carolina. [ 4 ]