For the first time, a sitting American president has endorsed a candidate in an Armenian election. On May 27, Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to give Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan his “complete and total endorsement” for re-election, 11 days before Armenians vote on June 7.
Pashinyan responded hours later on X, writing, “Thank you, President Donald Trump for the high appreciation and friendly words.”
Trump called Pashinyan “a great friend and Leader” who is making Armenia “strong, wealthy, and very secure,” and said the prime minister shares his vision of peace and prosperity for the entire South Caucasus. He tied the endorsement to the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, the transit corridor that would run through Armenia’s southern Syunik province and link mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave. The United States and Armenia, he wrote, would soon break ground on the route together.
The post came less than 48 hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a strategic partnership agreement in Yerevan on May 26, alongside framework deals on critical minerals and the transit corridor. Vice President JD Vance had visited in February and backed Pashinyan openly. Trump’s statement now caps that sequence with a direct endorsement from the Oval Office, landing in a tight race that pits Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party against a field of largely pro-Russian opposition parties.
Trump’s full statement:
“Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, of Armenia, a great friend and Leader, is making his Country strong, wealthy, and very secure! Nikol completely shares my vision of PEACE and PROSPERITY for Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region. Our Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, just traveled to Armenia, where he advanced several important Deals for both our Countries. Soon, the United States and Armenia will break ground together on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which will transform the South Caucasus, and help our wonderful American Energy Companies gain access from Central Asia all the way to the United States. For these reasons, Nikol has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for Re-Election on June 7, 2026. With Nikol’s help, we will bring the United States, Armenia, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia to greater heights than ever before. Make (Armenia) Great Again — MAGA! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
