Trump to End $4 Billion Annual U.S. Military Aid to Israel After Midterm Setback

President Donald Trump announced on election day that the United States will cease providing roughly $4 billion in yearly military aid to Israel by year‑end, a move aimed at limiting the political fallout for Republicans. He pointed to the rising electoral risk posed by Democrats such as Abdul El‑Sayed, the Michigan Senate candidate who has made opposition to the aid a key campaign theme. El‑Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim senator in U.S. history. The decision comes after Trump, who relocated the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem during his first term, cracked down on pro‑Palestine protests at home and, together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a war against Iran. The shift in policy was evident even before the midterm results, signalling strain in the long‑standing U.S.–Israel “special relationship”. A photo from December 29, 2025 shows Trump and Netanyahu shaking hands at Mar‑a‑Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, underscoring the personal ties behind the diplomatic move. ## Reaction Republican leaders expressed concern about losing a traditional ally, while Israeli officials warned the aid cut could affect security cooperation. ## Context The United States has been Israel’s largest military donor for decades, and a sudden halt of billions of dollars marks a rare break in that pattern, reflecting how domestic electoral pressures can reshape foreign policy.