President Donald Trump went off script during his address to the Israeli Knesset, and everyone in the chamber went crazy when he called for a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to the Knesset on Monday, Trump reflected on the historic Gaza-Israel peace deal after the return of the final 20 hostages, before he veered off topic and made a suggestion that made those in the room applaud and cheer.
"Hey, I have an idea," Trump said. "Mr. President [Isaac Herzog], why don't you give him [Netanyahu, who Trump pointed to in the front row] a pardon?" And the hoots and hollers began.
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— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 13, 2025
CRAZY VIDEO OF TRUMP GOING OFF SCRIPT AND REQUESTS A PARDON FOR NETANYAHU pic.twitter.com/OK3AEDRaeP
READ MORE: President Trump Addresses Israel's Knesset: 'The Sun Rises on a Holy Land That Is FINALLY AT PEACE'
MORE: Watch: Trump Speaks on Hostages, Peace, Iran, and More
Soon, everyone started to clap and cheer loudly, leading eventually to all those in the room giving Trump a standing ovation as the applauding and cheering continued for several minutes.
One moment even captured Netanyahu's reaction to the overwhelming support for Trump's suggestion, and to say he looked more than pleased would be a fair description.
The cheering continued, and at one point, it sounded like a chant broke out. We aren't exactly sure, but it definitely could have been "Bibi" that they were saying.
Trump remained with his focus on the President, who stood and smiled, but made no outward sign that he would be planning to do so, despite the raucous cheers in the room.
"By the way, that was not in the speech, as you probably know," Trump remarked as the chants in the room died down. "But I happen to like this gentleman right over here [pointing to the President]. It just seems to make so much sense."
"Ya know, whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime [leaders]," he added, pointing to Netanyahu, while referencing Bibi’s indictment for allegedly accepting lavish gifts of cigars and champagne in exchange for favors. "Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about it. All right, enough controversy for the day……You are a very popular man. You know why? Because you know how to win."
The comments brought about more cheers, applause, and "Bibi" chants in the chamber.
Trump's speech was full of praise for all those who helped usher in the peace deal, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and then Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
.@POTUS addresses Israel's Knesset: "After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families... And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent,… pic.twitter.com/yLfmDIgzVJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2025
POTUS addresses Israel's Knesset: "After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families... And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is FINALLY AT PEACE—a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity."
As my RedState colleague Jennifer Oliver O'Connell observed:
Trump has done what no other president has been able to do: bring peace to the Middle East. Not a temporary stall or a two-state solution, but Israel triumphant and their enemies silenced. Trump signaled that this would be spoken about for generations, and that the Golden Age of the USA would also include the Golden Age for Israel and for the Middle East.
Trump is the least selfish President we have ever had, regardless of what haters say. He's not only trying to Make America Great Again, but attempting to create peace for those who live in the Middle East and around the world by being a strong leader.
Many people attending Trump’s speech at the Knesset are wearing these red hats pic.twitter.com/g1qhOCg1sG
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) October 13, 2025
And not only do Americans love him for it, but Israel does too. As Townhall's own Katie Pavlich noted, those in the chamber during his speech on Monday donned familiar red hats with the message that read "Trump the Peace President."
Will it hold? We are cautiously optimistic. Stay tuned to RedState for updates.
Editor's Note: Donald Trump is America's Peace Time President. Support and follow RedState’s latest reporting on the president's historic trip to the Middle East.
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