In a wide-ranging and impromptu press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out a sweeping vision for a restructured Middle East, touching on everything from the future of Gaza to the reintegration of Syria and the potential sale of F-35 jets to Turkey. The remarks, delivered after their sixth meeting of 2025, suggest a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape where old alliances are being tested and new red lines drawn.
President Trump offered a blunt assessment of the situation in Gaza, suggesting that mass migration might be a natural outcome of the post-war reality. “I heard that number today, half of Gaza would leave,” Trump told reporters. “I’ve always said it. If they were given the opportunity to live in a better climate, they would move. They are there because they sort of have to be.” This statement aligns with unconfirmed reports of logistical discussions regarding voluntary resettlement, a controversial topic that has quietly gained traction in diplomatic backchannels.
On Iran, Trump was unequivocal, warning Tehran against any attempts to rebuild its military capabilities following the devastating conflict earlier this year. “Iran has been greatly reduced in power. We can’t let them build up again,” he stated. In a moment of characteristic candor, he issued a specific threat regarding the use of American strategic bombers: “I hear that they are building weapons… I hope they’re not doing it because we don’t want to waste the fuel on a B-2 to 37 hour trip both ways.” He added that Iranian proxies had been neutralized, correcting what he viewed as a past strategic error: “In the Middle East, it was a mistake when they wiped out Iraq… Iran had the whole Middle East, all to itself, but that’s not true anymore.”
The conference also revealed significant shifts in regional diplomacy. Trump spoke warmly of the “new Syrian President,” describing him as a “strong guy” who has been “with us all the way,” even during “that mishap with ISIS.” He expressed optimism that Israel and Syria could normalize relations under his mediation. Furthermore, Trump signaled a major policy reversal regarding Turkey, admitting he is “thinking very seriously” about selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara—a move previously blocked due to Russian missile purchases—after receiving a promise that “they’ll never use them on Israel.”
Regarding the Palestinian territories, Trump deferred to his Israeli counterpart on the West Bank, stating, “Netanyahu will do the right thing… I know him very well.” He also predicted that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords, cementing a broad anti-Iran coalition.
When asked about global tensions elsewhere, specifically China’s massive “Justice Mission-2025” drills around Taiwan, Trump appeared unfazed. “President Xi hasn’t told me anything about it… Nothing worries me,” he dismissed, framing the maneuvers as routine posturing.
The presser concluded with a stark warning to Hamas, with Trump claiming that “59 countries” are ready to wipe out the group if they do not disarm immediately. “They know the consequences,” he said, hinting that the next phase of military action would be far more powerful than the last.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
