Trump Boasts Israel Would Be 'Obliterated' Without US Assistance
US President Donald Trump has claimed Israel would be unable to survive without support from him and Washington. Trump even stated that Israeli officials follow his instructions, including in matters concerning military operations in Lebanon.
The statement was made by Trump in an interview with Axios, as reported by Anadolu Agency and the New York Post on Saturday (20/6/2026). In the interview published on Friday (19/6), Trump also asserted that he could prevent Israel from expanding its attacks into Lebanon.
When asked whether he could stop Israel from attacking Hezbollah in order to maintain a peace deal with Iran, Trump answered confidently. “Yes, I would be able to do it,” he replied. “They respect me greatly, and they do what I say,” Trump said.
In the interview, Trump also levelled criticism at hardline groups in Israel who want the war against Iran to continue. He admitted to losing respect for those circles.
Trump then highlighted the dominance of US military support for Israel. According to him, Washington provides weaponry and air power that serve as the main pillar for its ally. “If it weren’t for Donald Trump, and Bibi Netanyahu works well with me, but he will tell you, we are the ones with the weapons, we are the ones who get all the deals, we are the ones with the B-2 bombers, and so on,” Trump told Axios reporter Mark Caputo. “If it weren’t for Donald Trump, Israel would be obliterated,” he stressed.
The statement reinforces Trump’s comment earlier in the week that “Without the United States, there would be no Israel.”
Trump’s comments were made as the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended and came into effect on Friday (19/6) at 4:00 p.m. local time. Despite this, Israel was reported to have continued attacks into Lebanese territory, which it claimed were targeting Hezbollah.
Earlier in the week, Trump also claimed to have asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take a “softer approach” in Lebanon. He suggested Israel does not need to “knock down a building every time someone from Hezbollah enters it” — referring to the frequent Israeli air strikes in Lebanese residential areas.