Trump insiders call out 'sign of desperation' as ally begs for help

President Donald Trump walks at Newark Liberty International Airport as he travels en route to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, in Newark, New Jersey, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite frequently being at odds with each other over prosecuting the war in Iran, are nevertheless far closer to one another politically than they are apart. Perhaps for that reason, Netanyahu is now calling on Trump to help him in his ongoing reelection campaign — a sign that insiders say points to "desperation" from the key politician.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — fighting for political survival in Tuesday's elections — has pleaded with President Trump in recent days to show more public support for his campaign, according to a U.S. source with knowledge and an Israeli source briefed on the matter," reported Axios' Barak Ravid on Sunday. He argued that Netanyahu's requests to the Trump administration are perceived in Washington as a "sign of desperation" and indicating that Netanyahu fears he is behind his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot.

"Neta Molcho, a spokesperson for Netanyahu's Likud party, denied the prime minister asked Trump to support his campaign 'in recent days or before his endorsement statement,'" Ravid wrote. "The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Trump said in an interview with Newsmax two weeks ago that people in Israel asked him to get involved in support of Netanyahu."

"After weeks of hesitation, Trump endorsed Netanyahu last Sunday," Ravid reported. "He went so far as to suggest his defeat would have consequences for U.S.-Israel relations."

He added, "Trump has never worked with an Israeli prime minister other than Netanyahu, and doesn't personally know any of the other candidates. The two have forged a close but often turbulent relationship. All three projected just 50 seats for Netanyahu's bloc in the 120-member Knesset — 17 fewer than his current coalition holds. His Likud party, which currently holds 32 seats, was projected to win just 20."

Writing for AlterNet earlier in October, Terry H. Schwadron, retired as senior editor at The New York Times, broke down exactly why it is significant that Netanyahu is reportedly beseeching Trump for a political bailout.

"For Donald Trump to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection to a seventh term exacted no price, resurfaced personal loyalty over the issues at hand, and likely will prove to have little outcome on an already close election on Oct. 27," Schwadron wrote. "To have done so with as much enthusiasm as Trump mustered is of note, however, a signal as much for U.S. voters as for any Israelis harboring misgivings about returning Netanyahu, even as a coalition government leader, to office."

He added, "It is Trump’s signal of aggressiveness against Iran, against Muslim restiveness and for the perpetuation of authoritative government figures who simply should be rewarded for telling others what to do."

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