President Donald Trump has launched a sharp rebuke of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that such a move would “reward Hamas” and undermine Israel’s fight against terrorism. Speaking aboard Air Force One on his return from a high-profile meeting with Starmer in Scotland, Trump clarified that the U.S. remains firmly opposed to unilateral recognition of Palestine—despite earlier indications of neutrality.
“You're rewarding Hamas if you do that,” Trump said. “I don't think they should be rewarded.”
The president’s comments follow a turbulent diplomatic week, with Starmer stating that the UK will formally recognize Palestinian statehood by September 2025, unless Israel complies with ceasefire demands and allows full humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
Despite having not objected to Starmer’s position during their meeting at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort, Trump now says the matter was never discussed. His current stance is in alignment with the U.S. State Department, whose spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, condemned the UK’s move as “a slap in the face” to victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which left nearly 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage.
Cracks Within MAGA Base Over Gaza
Trump’s support for Israel comes as conservative dissent mounts over the Gaza conflict. Several influential MAGA voices have publicly condemned Israel’s military actions, particularly over worsening famine conditions in Gaza. Trump himself contradicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by acknowledging the humanitarian crisis:
“Those children look pretty hungry to me… You can’t fake that,” Trump remarked, citing television footage from the warzone.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist and host of the influential War Room podcast, suggested Trump’s comments could accelerate a shift in GOP support:
“There’s almost no support for Israel among MAGA youth. Even older diehards are turning off,” Bannon told Politico.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, long considered a hardline pro-Israel voice, stunned observers by calling Israel’s Gaza actions “genocide,” emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that includes Palestinian suffering.
Polls Show Waning U.S. Support for Israel’s Gaza Campaign
A new Gallup poll reveals a steep decline in American public support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, now at just 32%—the lowest since polling began post-October 7. While Republican support remains higher at 71%, prominent figures warn the humanitarian crisis may become a political liability.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) noted:
“The American people are compassionate. If you see starvation, you try to fix it.”
White House Reaffirms Alliance with Israel
Despite growing public disapproval, the Trump administration continues to project unwavering support for Israel’s leadership. Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, told Fox News:
“There is no break between Netanyahu and President Trump. Their bond is stronger than ever.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, is scheduled to visit Israel on Thursday for urgent talks with Israeli officials, focusing on next steps in Gaza and potential strategies to balance military objectives with humanitarian relief.
Key Takeaways:
Trump firmly backs Israel, opposes UK’s planned recognition of a Palestinian state.
Starmer’s pledge criticized as “rewarding Hamas,” despite initial soft stance during Scotland meeting.
GOP fractures widen, with MAGA influencers and members of Congress denouncing Israel’s Gaza campaign.
Public support for Israel drops sharply amid famine and death toll reports from Gaza (over 60,000 Palestinians dead, per Gaza Health Ministry).
Diplomatic fallout expected as Trump administration tries to balance its pro-Israel position with rising domestic discontent.