Trump pledges end to $4 billion Israel aid

The United States will cease providing $4 billion in annual funding to Israel at the close of 2026, US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday. He disclosed the plan during an interview with Fox News' Fox and Friends, framing the decision as a fulfillment of a prior understanding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump asserted that the two leaders agreed months ago that the financial support would end by the year's conclusion. He characterized Israel as self-sufficient, noting that the nation no longer requires the assistance from Washington. The president also suggested that domestic political opponents use the aid as a tool to criticize his party.

"Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping," Trump told the program. He added, "We've already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel. Now we'll help Israel if they need it."

Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment on the remarks. It was not immediately clear which specific funding stream Trump referenced, though a memorandum of understanding providing $3.8 billion in annual US military aid to Israel is set to expire in 2028. Negotiations regarding the future of Washington's assistance have been ongoing.

Trump emphasized Israel's economic capacity, stating, "They can buy whatever they want. They can buy whatever they want. So can Europe. We make the greatest weapons in the world." This stance aligns with remarks Netanyahu made in May, when he told CBS News he hoped to reduce Israel's reliance on US military support within ten years. In a June letter to a US congressman, Netanyahu wrote that it was time for Israel to shift from being an aid recipient to a partner.

US public opinion on the issue has shifted since the Gaza war began in 2023. A June poll by Quinnipiac University found that 48 percent of voters and 66 percent of Democrats believe the US is too supportive of Israel. These figures represent a sharp increase from 16 percent and 20 percent, respectively, when the question was first asked in 2017. Trump noted that left-wing politicians use the $4 billion figure to signal unfairness, adding, "We were giving them $4 billion, we are, but it gets cut off at the end of the year. Why? Because they don't need it."