Former US President Donald Trump has expressed surprise over the declining influence of Israel's once-powerful lobby in Washington. He acknowledged that a generational shift in opinion, especially within his own Republican Party, is changing the political landscape.

In an interview with the Daily Caller, Trump explained that support for Israel in Congress is no longer what it used to be. He compared the current situation to two decades ago when Israel's lobby was considered one of the most dominant forces in American politics.

Trump highlighted that Israel previously had the strongest lobby in Congress, surpassing any state, company, or organization he had ever seen. According to him, the influence has now weakened, leaving him surprised by how quickly the shift has taken place.

The former president noted that in the past, it was politically dangerous to criticize Israel. He mentioned that prominent progressive lawmakers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her allies have changed the conversation, making open criticism of Israel more common in political debates.

Recent surveys support Trump's observation. A March Pew Research Center poll revealed that 53 percent of American adults now view Israel unfavorably, a significant increase from 42 percent in 2022. This signals a wider shift in public opinion across the United States.

Among Republicans under the age of 50, the change is even more noticeable. Unfavorable views of Israel jumped from 35 percent in 2022 to 50 percent in 2025, showing how younger conservatives are rethinking traditional party positions on foreign policy.

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