Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu after Trump offers full support for re-election

Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, a day after President Donald Trump publicly backed Netanyahu as he seeks re-election this month. “I’m not getting involved in the Israeli elections,” Vance said in an interview on Mark Halperin’s show “2WAY Tonight.” “I’m not anti-endorsing him; I’m not pro-endorsing him,” Vance added. Trump weighed in on the election Sunday, strongly backing Netanyahu’s re-election bid. “If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so. Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the post represents his “Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu.” Vance said Monday that Trump has “the most effective endorsement in American or international political history.” He further defended his refusal to get involved in the race by saying he endorses “American candidates,” adding “that’s what I’m focused on” as the midterm elections approach. Vance traveled to Hungary this year to stump for then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was voted out of power in April after 16 years. Vance also reiterated Monday that he has not decided whether he will run for president in 2028. But should he do so, Vance said, he thinks Trump will endorse him. “I really have not made up my mind about what to do in 2028. I just haven’t focused on it,” Vance said. “I think if I run, the president will endorse me right away, right at the beginning.”