President Donald Trump firmly pushed back against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections to selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, declaring that no foreign leader will dictate American arms sales.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Michigan, Trump defended the potential deal and praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “Tell them, look, Turkey has been a great ally for me,” Trump said. “He’s done a very good job… He’s a friend of mine. And nobody tells me what we should be selling.”
Trump highlighted Turkey’s military strength, calling it a “very powerful country” with a “tremendous military” and “a lot of great equipment.” He acknowledged the tensions between Turkey and Israel, noting “Turkey is not a big fan of Israel,” but made clear his decision would prioritize U.S. interests and alliances.
Turkey was previously removed from the F-35 program after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Trump has signaled openness to reversing that decision, telling Erdogan in July that the U.S. would “certainly consider” a sale. Any final agreement would still face congressional scrutiny and legal hurdles.
Despite the disagreement over Turkey, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership during the recent conflict with Iran. “Bibi has been great. He was a wartime prime minister. We did very well together,” Trump said, noting that Iran’s capabilities have been severely degraded. “If you look at Iran now, they’re 8% of what they were four months ago.”
The exchange highlights Trump’s America First approach to foreign policy: strong relationships with key allies like Turkey while maintaining robust support for Israel. He is unwilling to let any single partner veto U.S. decisions on arms sales or strategic partnerships.
Trump’s stance reinforces his reputation as a dealmaker who prioritizes results and U.S. leverage over conventional diplomatic sensitivities. The potential F-35 sale to Turkey could reshape regional dynamics, but the President is clear — American sovereignty in these decisions comes first.
