Trump: Netanyahu Did Not Ask for Second Endorsement

US President Donald Trump denied on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a second public endorsement ahead of Israel's upcoming elections.

Trump addressed the question while boarding Air Force One for a trip to a campaign rally in Mississippi. When asked directly if the Israeli leader had asked for the additional support, the president replied, 'I never spoke about it.' He added, 'I put out both endorsements. I put out both,' noting that he believed Netanyahu had done a very good job under trying conditions.

The denial conflicts with reports from US officials who stated that Netanyahu engaged in intensive efforts to secure a fresh statement of support. According to those officials, the initial endorsement did not cause a major shift in polling numbers. Axios reported that the two leaders spoke twice within a three-day period. During those calls, Netanyahu allegedly proposed specific wording for the new endorsement and asked Trump to speak with Israeli journalists to strengthen his backing.

The Likud party rejected the claim that their leader had requested the additional endorsement. Trump's comments came as he prepared to discuss other international matters during the same press exchange.

The president also addressed Brazil's presidential election, where incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Trump said he liked Lula and got along with him well, but he criticized the manner in which the votes were counted.

Trump stated, 'I like Lula. I get along with him very well,' but added, 'I just think it had a very bad look. The election, the way it was tabulated.' He called the extension of voting hours 'very strange.'

The extension was a two-hour delay ordered by Brazil's Supreme Court during the second round of voting. The decision followed complaints about public transportation disruptions and created political controversy in the country.