Fastrack · Netanyahu Reportedly Seeks Trump Backing Before Tight Tuesday Vote

Trump endorsed Netanyahu for a second time Sunday, urging Israelis to reelect him. The vote is Tuesday.

50 seats projected for Netanyahu's bloc in three polls, 17 below today's coalition.
20 seats projected for Likud, down from its current 32.
61 seats are needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, is Netanyahu's main challenger.

Why it matters: Trump linked the election to U.S. policy on Iran. He wrote that if Israel picks anyone other than Netanyahu, America would have to do the work itself.

Trump said Sunday he is weighing a deal with Iran or more strikes.
Netanyahu has been on trial for five years on bribery and fraud charges.

The story so far

96 steps · since Oct 7

Oct 7
Oct 75:22 PMTrump Says U.S. Won't Attack Iran Before Midterms66 sources
Oct 9
Oct 93:05 PMSuspected Houthi Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills at Least 1364 sources
Oct 10–17
Oct 1811:05 AMTrump Endorses Netanyahu Nine Days Before Israeli Election64 sources
Oct 18–21
Oct 222:17 AMIsrael Heads to Divisive Election Tuesday60 sources
Oct 22–25
Oct 2511:47 AMNetanyahu Reportedly Seeks Trump Backing Before Tight Tuesday VoteYou are here
Oct 25
Oct 2511:31 PMMecca Pact Officials Set to Meet Iran in Tehran Monday3 sourcesLatest

How 8 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 8 sources

8 sources · 12 articles · 38% Left coverage

Where they split: Axios sources say Netanyahu lobbied Trump for more support, while Likud spokeswoman Neta Molcho denies he asked.

Center coverage, 2 sources: The center focuses on Axios reporting that Netanyahu pressed Trump for more public backing ahead of a close vote.

Jerusalem Post16mCould Trump's allies push Netanyahu into unity gov't without his far-right partners? - analysis Times of Israel8h‘We have to finish the job’: Trump doubles down on Netanyahu support after PM’s reported request

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left sees Netanyahu, trailing in polls, leaning on Trump for a political rescue that insiders call desperation.

AlterNet14hTrump insiders call out 'sign of desperation' as ally begs for help Mediaite15hNetanyahu Pleads With Trump to Go to Bat for Him Ahead of Close Election: Report MSNBC12hIsraeli president vows he will not bow to Trump in Netanyahu’s election fate

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right frames the endorsement as a vote for continuity in a successful U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran.

Breitbart News7hTrump Re-Endorses Netanyahu: ‘We Have to Finish the Job’ Against Iran The American Spectator6hWhy Trump Is Backing Netanyahu in Israel’s Crucial Election Newsmax8hTrump Again Endorses Netanyahu Ahead of Election

What’s next: Polls open Tuesday, Oct. 27. Final surveys show no bloc with a clear path to 61 seats.

After the vote, Israel's president meets parties and picks a leader to try forming a coalition.
That leader gets 28 days to assemble a government.
Will Trump's endorsement move any votes in a race polls call close?
How would a non-Netanyahu government handle the Iran confrontation Trump describes?
Will Trump's earlier request that Israel's president pardon Netanyahu factor into coalition talks?