The Lie: 

• Israel controls the U.S. government, including President Donald Trump and Congress.

The Truth:

• The State of Israel does not control any branch of the U.S. government.

Background

• On November 19, 2025, Tucker Carlson said he agreed with neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes that “the United States Congress is unduly influenced by a foreign country called Israel.” (X)
• This claim echoes accusations from anti-Israel commentators like Dave Smith, who say President Trump and Congress are controlled by the Israeli government and even fight wars on Israel’s behalf. (The Free Press)

Truth Explained

• U.S. political trends contradict the claim of Israeli control. Numerous American politicians publicly challenge Israeli policies or vote in ways Israel opposes. (The Institute for National Security Studies)
• Senior U.S. officials openly reject the idea of Israeli control. On October 30, 2025, Vice President JD Vance said: “Israel is not controlling this president.” He further explained that the Trump-Vance administration’s “America First” approach enabled the U.S. to “apply leverage to the State of Israel,” demonstrating that the power dynamic runs from Washington to Jerusalem—not the other way. (Jerusalem Post)
• President Trump has repeatedly overruled Israel’s preferences. In September 2025, he said: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank… It’s not going to happen.” On June 24, 2025, he ordered the IDF to abort a planned strike on Iran. (BBC), (Sky News)
• Israel’s direct lobbying is extremely small compared to other nations. In 2023, Israel spent about $14 million on lobbying—far less than Saudi Arabia ($101 million), UAE ($41.7 million), China ($85.4 million), or Liberia ($235 million). (OpenSecrets)
• AIPAC is influential—but it is American, not Israeli. AIPAC is fully funded and controlled by U.S. citizens. It does not represent the Israeli government. (AIPAC)
• Lobbying influence does not equal control. Even far larger lobbies—such as pharmaceuticals ($350–400 million), tech ($150+ million), defense ($120+ million), and labor unions ($180–200 million)—do not “control” Congress or the president. The Trump administration’s battles with Big Pharma, for example, illustrate that massive lobbying budgets do not translate into political control. (The Economist)

Quotes: 

• “So when people say that Israel is somehow manipulating or controlling the president of the United States, they are not controlling this president of the United States, which is one of the reasons why we have been able to have some of the success we have had in the Middle East.” — Vice President JD Vance
• “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” — President Donald Trump

Takeaway:

• Israel does not control the United States government. U.S. leaders frequently pressure, challenge, and overrule Israel based on American interests. Many members of Congress reject AIPAC entirely, and Israel’s lobbying footprint is small compared to many other countries. Claims that Israel “runs” America are conspiracy theories—not reality.