Trump Envoy Rejects Report Claiming Israel Threat as “Fake News”
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 20
- 3 min read
Adam Boehler dismisses the Washington Post’s claim that Trump threatened to abandon Israel unless the war ends
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: Strong defense of Trump, criticism of media reporting, and unwavering pro-Israel messaging align with traditional right-leaning U.S. political narratives.
Hostage Envoy Calls Threat Report “Fake News”
Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response, publicly rejected a Washington Post report suggesting that President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw support for Israel if the Gaza war did not end. Speaking to Fox News Digital at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York, Boehler described the claim as false.
“That sounds like fake news to me,” said Boehler. “President Trump’s support for Israel is ironclad.”
Boehler emphasized that while Trump may express frustration about the ongoing war, his backing of Israel remains steadfast.
Ambassador Huckabee Also Denies Claim
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee echoed Boehler’s stance. Speaking to Israel’s Ynet news outlet, Huckabee dismissed the Washington Post report.
“Their reporting is nonsense,” Huckabee said. “They need to listen to what the President says – not what some uninformed ‘source’ pretends to know.”
Hostage Deal Possibly Near, Says Boehler
Boehler highlighted progress on the U.S. administration’s effort to secure the release of 58 hostages held by Hamas.
“I think it’s getting closer and closer,” Boehler said, referring to a potential deal. “If Hamas wants to come forward and make a legitimate offer… we’re always open to that.”
He credited both U.S. efforts and Israeli ground operations for increasing pressure on Hamas, adding:
“We’re closer than we ever were. Part of that is because of the movement of Israel and the IDF on the ground.”
Humanitarian Aid and UNRWA Replacement
Boehler also addressed humanitarian efforts in Gaza, noting the opening of borders to allow aid trucks after a two-month blockade. He discussed the U.S.-supported plan to potentially replace the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), citing previous issues with the agency.
“Perhaps there needs to be a replacement for UNRWA,” Boehler said. “If this works, if it gets food to the Palestinian people who need it, then I greatly favor it.”
Recalling the Edan Alexander Rescue
In a separate on-stage interview at the Jerusalem Post event, Boehler recounted the high-stakes operation to free American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
“It was an unbelievable moment,” Boehler said. “We watched it pretty much in real-time… When the helicopter landed, we saw it on TV. That first phone call was unbelievable.”
He noted that the release took place on Mother’s Day, adding emotional weight to the timing of the event.
Pushback Against Global Ceasefire Calls
Responding to recent joint statements by the United Kingdom, France, and Canada condemning Israeli operations in Gaza and urging an immediate ceasefire, Boehler pushed back.
“The United States has always been a fervent supporter of Israel,” he stated. “If I were a European country, I’d be particularly sensitive in how I criticize Israel.”
Summary
Boehler’s comments firmly reject media claims that Trump threatened to abandon Israel. Both he and Ambassador Huckabee insist the president remains strongly committed to Israeli security. At the same time, the administration signals cautious optimism on a potential hostage deal, supports humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and expresses openness to reforming U.N. aid mechanisms in Gaza.
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