Israel Hayom, the Israeli newspaper owned by Trump megadonor Miriam Adelson, published a sharply critical open letter Friday accusing President Donald Trump of betraying Israel through his recent agreement with Iran.
The letter, written by Danny Zaken, ran under the headline “You could have been the greatest president of all, but you failed.” Zaken argued that Trump “may be remembered forever as the president who brought about America’s humiliation.”
Addressing Trump directly from Jerusalem, Zaken wrote:
“And from where I sit, near Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the people of Israel since the days of the kingdoms of David and Solomon, I say to you: You made a colossal mistake. You failed by signing a surrender agreement with a murderous and cruel terror regime. You severely harmed American interests and the democratic and human values of the enlightened world, and you turned over the hourglass toward the next war, which your successors will have to deal with in the years to come.”
The criticism is notable because of Israel Hayom’s ownership. The newspaper was founded in 2007 by the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam Adelson, who has been one of Trump’s most significant financial supporters, explained Mediate. Trump awarded Miriam Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
Zaken also criticized Trump’s recent use of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nickname.
“Two weeks ago, someone in your circle made sure to leak the sharp conversation you had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” he wrote. “And I deliberately emphasize the full title. He is not ‘Bibi.’ He is the elected prime minister of the independent and sovereign State of Israel, as would be anyone else sitting in his chair.”
The columnist said he could not understand what he described as a sudden shift in Trump’s position toward Iran.
“And I am trying, and failing, to understand what caused this absurd change of direction, so contrary to everything you have said and done until now. The midterm elections are a flimsy excuse. You are in your second term, and the surrender memorandum of understanding will hurt the Republicans more than it will help them.”
The letter closed by accusing Trump of abandoning Israel at a critical moment.
“We feel betrayed, nothing less, because your heart was, it seemed, in the right place, with all your flaws. You acted against it. You lost your patience and your moral and leadership compass. Only if you walk this back and avoid reaching a final agreement with Iran might there be a correction.”
The publication marks another point of tension between Trump and Israel Hayom. In 2024, while running for president, Trump grouped the newspaper with “fake news” outlets after two of its reporters expressed shock at his public urging of Israel to end its war against Hamas.
Miriam Adelson has remained closely tied to Trump’s political operation. Last December, during a Hanukkah event at the White House, she stated she would give Trump another $250 million if he pursued a third term.
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