Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection a day after President Trump gave the Israeli leader complete backing, saying he focuses on American candidates.
In a Monday interview with Mark Halperin on “2WAY Tonight,” Vance drew a clear line. He would not join President Donald Trump in backing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection bid. Fox News reported the remarks, which landed one day after Trump posted a lengthy Truth Social endorsement of the longtime U.S. ally.
Vance said his focus stays on American races ahead of the midterms. He is not getting involved in Israel’s election, he told Halperin. He also stressed he was neither anti-endorsing nor pro-endorsing Netanyahu, simply staying out.
Trump had left no ambiguity the day before. In a Truth Social post, the president issued what he called a “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Netanyahu and praised him as a key partner against Iran.
Trump framed the Israeli leader as battle-tested and reliable. He tied the endorsement directly to the fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran and to peace through strength.
In the Truth Social post, Trump wrote:
"Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,"
He closed the message with an unambiguous call to Israeli voters:
"Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"
Netanyahu answered quickly. He thanked Trump for the “extraordinary endorsement,” called him a friend, and said Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. He linked the partnership to a shared goal: keeping Iran’s regime from getting nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu said:
"President Trump, my friend Donald, thank you for your extraordinary endorsement," "Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support."
Vance did not attack Netanyahu. He did not contradict Trump’s judgment of the Israeli prime minister. He simply declined to enter the race.
Speaking with Halperin, Vance put the priority on home-front politics:
"The president has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history," "I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on in the midterms. So I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections."
He repeated the point in plain terms:
"I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections,"
Politico first carried the interview comments, and Fox News Digital followed with the fuller account. Fox News Digital sought White House reaction; the White House could not immediately be reached for comment.
The non-endorsement stands in contrast to an earlier overseas political appearance. In April, Vance traveled to Hungary and campaigned alongside then-Prime Minister Viktor Orban shortly before Orban lost his reelection bid, Politico noted in the coverage Fox News cited.
That episode left a simple record: Vance has stepped into a foreign leader’s race before. This time he chose not to. He named the reason, American candidates and the midterms, and left Netanyahu’s contest to Israelis and to the president who already gave his full public support.
Trump’s post presented Netanyahu as a steady partner under pressure and a central figure in confronting Iran. Vance’s interview presented a narrower lane: U.S. races only. Both men spoke for themselves. Neither walked back the alliance with Israel or the hard line on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israeli voters will decide Netanyahu’s future. American voters will decide the midterms. Vance said he is working the second fight. Trump already put his name on the first.
Strong alliances still start with clarity at the top. Trump gave it. Vance kept his powder dry for the races that will shape Congress at home.
