Trump Claims Saudi Arabia and Israel Owe Existence to His Leadership

During a Sept. 28 sit-down with TIME magazine, published Oct. 1, Trump asserted his personal ties and U.S. military backing under his watch have been vital to the survival of Saudi Arabia and Israel. He highlighted his strong relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and past meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, framing American support as a key deterrent against threats.

The remarks, shared widely online alongside images and cartoons, prompted mixed views, with some seeing them as a reminder of U.S. security roles and critics noting decades of prior engagements since the 1930s and 1948.