Does Trump prefer Erdoğan to Netanyahu?

Ahead of the July 7 NATO Summit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged U.S. President Donald Trump to address Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's escalating anti-Israel rhetoric, including calling Zionism "genocidal." However, during an Oval Office briefing, Trump ignored a reporter's question about Erdoğan's remarks, instead stating, "As you know, he's a very good friend of mine, and we've worked very well together. I like him a lot."

• The article suggests Trump's preference for Erdoğan is evident despite Turkey's alleged assistance to Iran in evading U.S. sanctions and a secret meeting to strengthen oil smuggling to China and Russia.
• Erdoğan also reportedly helped prevent Iranian Kurdish groups from opening a new front inside Iran, opposing a perceived U.S.-Israeli regime-change effort.
• Trump's continued praise of Erdoğan and eagerness to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, which could threaten Israel and Greece, are seen as signs of his growing discomfort with Netanyahu.
• The U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding further highlighted the divide, with Trump reportedly pressing Netanyahu to halt Israeli strikes on Hezbollah despite Iranian violations.