Trump Floats Israel Premiership, Cuba Takeover Plans
In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, the president discussed a possible future role in Israel and his aims for Cuba before leaving office.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in International Relations
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President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of becoming prime minister of Israel and said he wants to take action on Cuba before the end of his term in a lengthy radio interview with Hugh Hewitt. He also said the Los Angeles mayoral election was rigged and advised Spencer Pratt, an unsuccessful Republican candidate, to protest the results.
Why it matters
The remarks come after Republican losses in the midterm elections and touch on U.S. policy toward Cuba and Israel, two areas where presidential statements can signal future action. Trump's claims about election outcomes and his suggestions of military force toward Cuba are likely to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and observers across the country.
Trump cited a 99% approval rating in Israel, a figure he made in a similar claim on Election Day 2026 but that the source does not independently verify. He said he wants to get Cuba done before leaving office, while the interview did not outline any specific legislative or policy timeline.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, a Republican who previously served as the 45th president and returned to office after winning the 2024 election.
Hugh Hewitt
Hugh Hewitt is a conservative radio host and law professor known for long-form political interviews with Republican figures.
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio is the U.S. Secretary of State and a former Republican senator from Florida who has been a prominent voice on Latin American and Cuban policy.
Spencer Pratt
Spencer Pratt is a reality television personality who ran as a Republican candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
The details
In the interview, Trump said he does not understand how Abdul El-Sayed won Jewish voters in Michigan and said he is very much Israel-inclined. He said that when his time in office is over he could go to Israel and be prime minister, and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would like to take action on Cuba. In March, he had told reporters he might have the honor of taking Cuba, and he also referenced a prior operation in Venezuela.
Timeline
March 2026: Trump told reporters he might be having the honor of taking Cuba.
Election Day 2026: Trump made a similar 99% Israel approval claim on Fox News.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Trump gave the radio interview to Hugh Hewitt.
Political Context
Critics of the administration have argued that military action against Cuba would require congressional authorization and face strong opposition from lawmakers who support diplomatic engagement. Democratic and some Republican members have previously warned against escalating tensions with Havana without a clear legal framework.
Readers following U.S. policy on Cuba should watch for any formal White House or State Department action that would follow these remarks. Changes in travel, sanctions or diplomatic posture would have direct effects on Americans with family or business ties to the island.
The takeaway
Presidential statements about foreign policy goals often precede formal action only after legal and congressional steps, so readers should track official announcements rather than interview remarks alone.
Further reading
For more background, explore the International Relations section on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TheWrap.
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Should the U.S. use military force to take over Cuba?
