May 30, 2025 — In a startling revelation, recently freed Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov shared that his Hamas captors were deeply fearful of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and were openly hoping for Vice President Kamala Harris to win the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
“They were very scared of him,” Shem Tov said in a post-release interview. “They wanted Kamala to be elected.”
According to Shem Tov, the captors’ behavior shifted noticeably after Trump’s unexpected victory in 2024. “After the election, things changed. We started getting more food, and the abuse became less frequent. It was clear they were afraid of what he might do.”
Shem Tov went on to credit Trump with helping secure his release, describing him as “sent by God” and praising what he called Trump’s unwavering stance and pressure tactics.
Neither the Trump nor Harris camps have issued formal comments on the statements. The Israeli government has not confirmed the details, but sources familiar with hostage negotiations acknowledged that shifts in U.S. leadership often impact diplomatic leverage in sensitive conflict zones.
The comments are likely to spark both praise and controversy as Trump’s influence on global affairs—and particularly in the Middle East—continues to draw intense scrutiny.
