Donald Trump suggested that Israeli economic strength justifies cutting off roughly $4 billion in annual American financial assistance two years earlier than the current pact outlines. He claimed the idea was mutually discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over several years. Meanwhile, voting was underway across the United States to decide congressional control, with razor-thin Republican majorities at risk in both the House and the Senate.
Key points
Proposed cuts to foreign aid would terminate substantial financial support to Israel ahea…: Proposed cuts to foreign aid would terminate substantial financial support to Israel ahead of the current agreement's 2028 expiration.
The 2026 midterm elections put 35 Senate seats on the ballot alongside all 435 seats in t…: The 2026 midterm elections put 35 Senate seats on the ballot alongside all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each congressional chamber to take majorities…: Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each congressional chamber to take majorities and increase administrative oversight.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
US President Donald Trump has joked about moving to Israel and becoming its prime minister if Americans ever get tired of him, making the remark during a Fox News interview on Election Day.
Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, the POTUS claimed he had a 99 per cent approval rating in Israel and suggested he could pursue a political career there if his popularity in the United States declined.
"In fact, if people ever got tired of me in the US, I'll move to Israel, become prime minister," Trump said.
According to TMZ, Trump made the remark while discussing the relationship between the United States and Israel. He also claimed to have the "highest approval rating of anybody in history", but did not provide any polling evidence to support the statement.
US Midterm Election Results 2026
His reported popularity in Israel stands in contrast to his approval rating at home. TMZ reported that Trump's US approval rating was 32 per cent, although it did not identify the poll behind the figure.
Washington is holding off on military action against Tehran while high-stakes diplomatic talks continue to unfold. The administration believes its current pressure strategy is successfully securing desired concessions without requiring armed conflict. However, armed forces maintain a high posture of readiness should diplomatic channels ultimately fail to achieve American objectives.
American forces targeted missile installations along vital Iranian maritime positions to neutralize imminent threats against military personnel maintaining an ongoing economic blockade. The pre-election operation intensifies regional tensions, stoking fears of a wider Middle Eastern escalation influenced by allied defense pressures. Meanwhile, the eight-month maritime standoff continues to severely disrupt international trade as both sides weigh military force against tentative diplomatic solutions.
The administration is targeting the close of the year to wind down an established annual funding stream for foreign defense assistance. This decision directly impacts longstanding American financial commitments amid ongoing domestic and international disputes surrounding foreign assistance policy. Observers remain doubtful about the abrupt termination, particularly because critical operational details regarding the move have not been released.