PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection Sunday while in Palm Beach, also defending his yet-to-be-detailed decision on sanctions against Russia as “good for the world.”
Trump also endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection Sunday, announcing his support in a social media post:
The President called Netanyahu “a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The endorsement is a significant boost for Netanyahu because of Trump’s popularity, though the U.S. president had withheld his support for months as their strategies in the Middle East diverged, according to the Associated Press.
See also: President Trump returns to Palm Beach after Kentucky rally
Israelis are set to vote Oct. 27 in the first national elections since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Netanyahu, who leads the Likud party, had promoted his close relationship with Trump as a selling point for keeping him in power.
Air Force One landed at Donald J. Trump International Airport Saturday evening, and Trump’s motorcade traveled to Mar-a-Lago, arriving shortly afterward, according to White House press pool reports.
President Donald Trump walks to board a vehicle in his motorcade after arriving on Air Force One, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Along the route, the WH press pool noted that the motorcade passed supporters holding signs and American flags. Farther down the boulevard, reporters spotted a neon sign reading “86 47.”
Trump traveled to Highland Heights, Kentucky, on Saturday to speak at a rally at Northern Kentucky University as Republicans prepare for the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
After the rally, he returned to Palm Beach for a MAGA Inc. meeting and candlelight dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The event was closed to the press, according to his schedule.
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Google co-Founder Sergey Brin, from front right, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Brockman’s wife Anna Brockman, at a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
During a brief exchange with reporters, Trump was asked about his decision to waive sanctions on Russia:
A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out. It’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country, and I think good for the world because we’re really at a world stage.”
Trump also said the war with Iran was “going very well” and touted the country’s economic performance while meeting with business leaders.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin, with a net worth of over $257 billion, was seated to Trump’s left at the dinner, according to the pool report. OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna Brockman, also attended. Greg Brockman was seated to Trump’s right.
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Google co-Founder Sergey Brin, from right, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Brockman’s wife Anna Brockman at a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump departed Mar-a-Lago Sunday morning and traveled to Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, according to pool reports.
He is expected to return to the White House later Sunday evening.
