White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt confirmed that US President Donald Trump agrees with the view that Israel and other foreign countries are trying to influence the public opinion of American citizens.
“I think the president (Trump) would certainly agree that foreign countries are indeed trying to influence public opinion in America. There is no question about that. I think that is simply a fact,” Levitt said during a press conference today.
Levitt's remarks came in response to a question about whether Trump agreed with Vice President J.D. Vance's claim that there were specific people in the Israeli government system trying to manipulate public opinion in the United States to prolong the war with Iran indefinitely.
These developments come at a sensitive time, as opinion polls have revealed a sharp decline in Israel's standing among the American public. A Pew Research Center survey showed that 60% of Americans view Israel negatively, with the percentage of those holding very negative views jumping to 28%, compared to 10% four years ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged as the biggest loser, with nearly 60% of Americans losing confidence in his decisions regarding foreign affairs.
Analyses indicate that this decline is most evident among younger generations, with 75% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 holding a negative view of Israel. Moreover, the changes are no longer confined to Democrats, but have begun to infiltrate the Republican Party, including evangelical circles that have historically been a pillar of support for Israel.
The Monitor had previously indicated, citing Israeli sources, that Israel fears the Trump administration has lost resolve on the issue of eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities and has shifted its focus to the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
