US President Donald Trump recalled his personal friendship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan immediately before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report published on July 28, 2026. Trump raised the relationship when asked about the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

Netanyahu has strongly opposed a decision to sell the advanced US aircraft to Turkey. Trump’s reference to his good relations with Erdoğan just before the Netanyahu meeting placed renewed attention on the issue, the report said. The source did not provide details of the meeting’s outcome or any decision on the aircraft sale.

Political analysts cited in the report said Trump’s emphasis on ties with Erdoğan, despite Netanyahu’s objection, returned the proposed fighter-jet sale to the center of discussion. No timetable, final US decision, or further steps regarding F-35 sales to Turkey were stated in the source.