Full Breakdown
Trump Hints at Major Weapons Sale to Turkey While Praising Erdogan
6/26/2026, 6:27:40 AM
Core Event
President Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “strong man” and said he would likely give Turkey a “big gift bag” of military equipment before the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Trump claimed he had stopped Erdogan from joining the war on Iran’s side.
Background
Turkey was removed from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019 after buying Russia’s S-400 air-defense system. A $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines is under review, with the administration reportedly seeking to bypass a congressional freeze imposed by Rep. Gregory Meeks.
Data
- Proposed sale: $750 million for F-110 jet engines.
- Turkey’s 2019 F-35 expulsion followed its S-400 purchase.
Official Statements
The White House said the sale must meet “certain certification requirements” before proceeding; Vice President JD Vance emphasized compliance with American law. Rep. Meeks criticized the State Department for lacking a written justification for moving forward.
Criticism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Erdogan an “antisemitic tyrant” and accused him of supporting Hamas and repressing dissent. Analysts note Turkey’s anti-Israel stance and S-400 acquisition remain security concerns for the United States.
Conflicting Reports
Trump’s assertion that Turkey was a “prime candidate” to side with Iran is unsubstantiated; U.S. officials have not confirmed any Turkish preparation for the conflict. The jet-engine sale’s status remains pending certification.
What’s Next
Trump will travel to Ankara for the NATO summit on July 7-8, where the “gift bag” could be announced. Congressional action and certification will decide whether Turkey receives the engines and possibly re-enters the F-35 program.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Yeah, I think so. He’s a member of NATO ... I’m going to probably do something that’s going to make him very happy,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “He was a prime candidate to go into the war with Iran — maybe on the Iran side, because he’s not a big fan of Israel,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “The State Department did not even attempt to justify its decision” — Gregory Meeks, Representative, New York
- “There are certain things that we have to certify that have happened in order to comply with American law.” — JD Vance, Vice President of the United States
