'Mr. President, he is winning': Netanyahu aide told Trump despite weak polls

During a July meeting in the Oval Office, then-US President Donald Trump inquired about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's standing in the polls ahead of Israel's October 27 Knesset election. According to an Axios report citing a US official, Netanyahu initially paused before one of his advisors interjected, assuring Trump that the Prime Minister was "winning."

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Mr. President, he is winning

However, at the time of this exchange, a Maariv poll indicated Netanyahu's coalition bloc was projected to secure only 49 seats, falling 12 short of the 62 needed for a majority. A more recent poll on the Friday of the report's publication predicted 48 seats for the bloc. Ahead of the meeting, sources familiar with the matter indicated Netanyahu hoped to gain Trump's support for his reelection campaign.

The report also touches on recent public statements by Trump, who reportedly described Netanyahu as "his own worst enemy," according to Axios. Further complicating matters, Likud announced the appointment of businessman Oren Dobronsky to one of Netanyahu's reserved Knesset list slots. Dobronsky had previously criticized Trump on social media, calling him "a morally corrupt person." He later walked back his remarks, issuing an apology and praising Trump as "the greatest friend that Israel ever had in the Whitehouse."

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Bibi is his own worst enemy

Dobronsky is a notable figure in the Israeli and American tech industries, having co-founded a company that developed a successful internet browser toolbar. He has continued his career as an entrepreneur and investor in startups.

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President Trump is the greatest friend that Israel ever had in the Whitehouse. I posted in his favor countless times. On one occasion, not knowing all the facts, I lost my temper and posted something I regret. My apologies to President Trump, whom I admire deerly.