Trump refuses to endorse Netanyahu and weighs expanded Iran strikes in Time interview

Middle East diplomacy and the Israeli election

In a 75-minute interview conducted on 28 September and published on Thursday by Time magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's national election on 27 October. When asked whether Israeli voters should reelect the Likud party leader, Trump sidestepped three separate inquiries, claiming he was no longer involved in politics while asserting a 99% popularity rating in Israel. The stance marks a departure from Trump's past political displays for Netanyahu, which included promoting 2019 joint campaign billboards and sending a November letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog requesting a pardon for Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trial. Trump also addressed Netanyahu's chief political opponent, former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, remarking that he had heard no negative reports regarding him.

Well, people have written off Bibi many, many times, just like they've written off me many, many times.

Iran conflict and munitions stockpiles

Trump reiterated a hardline stance toward Iran, confirming he had rejected Tehran's latest peace proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz because the terms failed to meet administration requirements. The president left open the possibility of expanding bombing campaigns against Iran following the 3 November U.S. midterm elections, stating he chose to extend military operations beyond initial four- to six-week projections. Addressing military readiness following conflict that began in late February, Trump acknowledged that stockpiles of certain U.S. munitions were lower, though he disputed a mid-July Pentagon inspector general report citing resupply bottlenecks. Independent assessments by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in July estimated that inventories of Patriot and THAAD interceptors had fallen by more than half, prompting administration plans to build new production facilities across the country.

Executive power and domestic pardons

Trump also addressed domestic governance issues, stating he would consider issuing preemptive pardons to members of his staff to protect them from potential investigations led by congressional Democrats. He defended the proposal by pointing to actions taken by former president Joe Biden, who granted end-of-term pardons to his son Hunter Biden, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley, and former NIAID director Anthony S. Fauci. The president expressed frustration during the exchange, criticizing reporters for focusing on negative inquiries regarding his administration. Additionally, Trump refused to commit to preserving the Kennedy Center performing arts venue without congressional consent, following a September federal court ruling that prohibited his appointed board from demolishing the facility without prior warning.

It's in terrible shape. I'd be willing to save it, but it's in terrible, terrible shape.

Artificial intelligence and technology policy

On technology policy, Trump dismissed concerns about potential existential threats posed by artificial intelligence as unfounded claims driven by political opponents. The remarks followed a Sunday dinner with Anthropic chief executive officer Dario Amodei. Trump stated his opposition to regulatory restrictions on artificial intelligence development, maintaining that the technology sector should continue expanding without federal intervention. The wide-ranging interview marked Trump's 56th appearance on the cover of Time magazine, exceeding the total achieved by former president Richard Nixon.