US President Donald Trump has made clear that the decision on whether to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey rests solely with him.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on July 27, 2026, Trump responded to a reporter’s question about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s open opposition to the potential sale:
“Nobody tells me what we should or shouldn’t sell. Turkey has been a good ally.”
Trump acknowledged that Ankara “is not a big fan” of Israel or Netanyahu, but stressed that bilateral cooperation between the United States and Turkey remains strong.
The comments come just days after the US State Department formally notified Congress that Turkey has not met the legal conditions required under American law for any possible transfer of F-35 aircraft. As a result, official US policy on the issue remains unchanged.
This position is detailed in a letter from the State Department’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs to Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell. The letter, prepared after Bell’s inquiry to President Trump regarding US-Turkey relations, CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 program, and Turkey’s ties to Hamas, states that any future transfer of F-35 jets would require Turkey’s full compliance with all applicable US legal requirements. The White House directed the State Department to respond on the president’s behalf.
Key takeaways:
- Trump asserts personal authority over F-35 sales decisions
- Affirms Turkey as a valuable NATO ally despite tensions with Israel
- State Department confirms Turkey still does not meet legal criteria for F-35 reinstatement
- US policy on the program remains unchanged
Related tags: Donald Trump, F-35, Turkey, Netanyahu, US foreign policy, NATO, State Department