US President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of running for the role of Prime Minister in Israel, citing his purported almost 100% approval rating in the country. Trump mentioned on May 20 that he is currently at a 99% approval rate in Israel and hinted at the idea of launching a campaign for prime minister in the future.
The United States and Israel, longstanding allies, conducted joint military operations targeting strategic Iranian sites on February 28. In response, Iran retaliated by attacking various locations across the Middle East and disrupting the vital trade route of the Strait of Hormuz, which facilitates 20% of global oil trade.
The ongoing conflict, temporarily halted by a fragile ceasefire, has caused turbulence in global markets and contributed to an increase in fuel prices worldwide. Reports indicate that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a tense phone conversation on May 20, expressing differing opinions on the Iran situation.
During the call on May 19, Trump reportedly mentioned the development of a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran, while Netanyahu advocated for maintaining military pressure on Iran to undermine its leadership. The proposed agreement could signal the start of negotiations lasting 30 days, focusing on issues such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear activities.
Recent data from the Economist, updated on May 20, revealed Trump’s approval ratings: 37% approval, 57% disapproval, and 5% undecided, marking 485 days into his second term. Trump’s approval rating faces challenges ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, where American voters will decide on various congressional seats, governors, state legislatures, mayors, and local offices.
Although the midterms will not involve electing a new president, they hold significance in reshaping the composition of Congress. The Economist’s survey suggests that Trump’s handling of the economy, more than the Iran conflict, is the primary factor negatively impacting his approval ratings.