Give thanks to Trump

A surprising silver lining to the US’s direct assault on Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment plant was how unifying the moment felt for Israelis. Aside from the early weeks following October 7, Israel has been mired in internal strife—government dissatisfaction, anguish over the hostages still held in Gaza, tensions around Haredi draft exemptions, judicial overreach, teachers’ strikes, and more. But on that Sunday morning, when Israelis awoke not to sirens (those came 20 minutes later) but to headlines about Fordow, something shifted. WhatsApp groups buzzed with excitement. People murmured ancient words of thanks—to God and, yes, to Trump. Banners and posters thanking the president sprang up along bridges and train stations. Even those deeply disillusioned with Netanyahu’s wartime leadership seemed, if only momentarily, relieved—willing to recognize that these two flawed leaders had nevertheless done something brave and necessary. They made a hard decision, one that transcended their egos, governments, and constituencies.

That’s why I was struck by the reactions of many of my Jewish American friends—both before and after Trump’s decision. In the days leading up to the strike, social media was full of American Jews pleading for U.S. action. One friend privately told me she thought Trump was “too much of a chicken sh**” to step in. I was surprised. I don’t know a single Jewish American who admits to having voted for Trump. And yet, there was a strong expectation that he had a duty to protect Israel—and that failing to do so would constitute a betrayal of the Jewish people.

This struck me as a new level of chutzpah. I cannot think of another recent US president—Democrat or Republican—who would have done what Trump did at Fordow. Yes, the Iranian regime poses a threat to the US as well. But Iran’s threat to Israel is immediate and existential. The asymmetry is stark. And yet, many of the same American Jews who disavow Trump were essentially asking him to take out our garbage. A move that is deeply unpopular—not just among Democrats but within his own party, and even, reportedly, his running mate.

And after the fact? The response was often a begrudging, backhanded sort of gratitude. “I still hate the guy,” one friend said, “but…”

So here’s my request to my Jewish American friends: take a page from Israeli political culture. You can loathe a leader, pray for their government to collapse, and hope for better leadership in the future. But when they do the right thing—especially at great political and personal risk—pause to acknowledge it. Don’t let your dislike get in the way of expressing real-time appreciation. Take a long moment to acknowledge that the person you voted for in the last US election would not have taken this risk and sit with this for a minute.  She certainly would have offered kind words, but she wouldn’t have risked American lives and aircraft to take out an Iranian nuclear site. She wouldn’t have ended her address with, “God bless Israel.”

So today, say thank you. Thank God—and thank God for Trump. Thank God the election did not go your way. Keep thanking him. And like Israelis, you can go back to hating on him tomorrow.