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Watch: Trump hosts Erdogan at the White house, talks about rigged elections and F-35 Ban

The visit highlighted a clear break from the Biden years, when US-Turkey ties were tense.

US President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan discussed trade, including Boeing aircraft and F-16 purchases.

US President Donald Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on September 25, 2025, in Erdogan’s first visit since 2019. The two leaders discussed the possible lifting of the US ban on F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey, trade deals, and Ankara’s role in NATO.

Trump opened the meeting with a pointed remark, saying Erdogan “knows about rigged elections better than anybody.” The comment was seen as a reference to both leaders’ reputations for autocratic politics. Trump, who continues to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, added that he and Erdogan had remained in touch during what he called his “exile” from office.

“This is a guy who’s highly opinionated. Usually, I don’t like opinionated people, but I always like this one. He’s a tough one,” Trump said.

US President Donald Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, marking Erdogan’s first visit since 2019. The two leaders discussed lifting the US ban on F-35 sales to Turkey, as well as trade deals involving Boeing aircraft and F-16 purchases pic.twitter.com/RoPMTAvvPS

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 26, 2025

The visit highlighted a clear break from the Biden years, when US-Turkey ties were tense. Biden had called Erdogan an “autocrat” and criticised his government’s crackdown on opposition figures. Turkish authorities have jailed several opposition leaders, including Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested in March on corruption charges he denies.

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Trump signalled that the US may soon reconsider its suspension of F-35 sales to Turkey. Washington had removed Ankara from the program during Trump’s first term after Turkey purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defence system. US officials argued the system could be used to gather intelligence on F-35 technology and share it with Moscow.

The two leaders also discussed trade, including Boeing aircraft and F-16 purchases. Trump said Erdogan had not promised to stop buying Russian oil but suggested he could be persuaded. “I don’t want to say that he agreed, but if I want him to, he will,” Trump told reporters.

Trump also praised Erdogan’s international standing, saying he is respected by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I think he could have a big influence if he wants to,” Trump said.

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