President Donald Trump has pushed back against Israeli opposition to selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, declaring that nobody dictates U.S. arms sales decisions to him. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Michigan, Trump described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a friend and emphasized Ankara's importance as a strong U.S. ally.
The remarks come as Trump prepares to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. Netanyahu has lobbied against the fighter jet transfer, arguing it would alter the military balance in the Middle East. Trump acknowledged Turkey is not a fan of Israel, but said at the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this month that he is considering lifting the F-35 freeze imposed after Turkey's 2017 S-400 acquisition.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss the conflict with Iran, which began in February 2026. Trump acknowledged minor differences with Netanyahu over Middle East strategy while noting the two are largely aligned on Iran policy.