President Donald Trump met with freed American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.
In a video of the meeting, Alexander told Trump that after Hamas learned Trump won the election, “They moved me to a new place, a good place. People did everything. They treated me really well.”
“Oh, so they treated you better? Wow,” Trump responded, adding, “We’re very proud to have helped you, and the First Lady, it was really important to her.”
“The president and first lady have met with many released hostages from Gaza, and they greatly look forward to meeting Edan Alexander and his family in the Oval Office tomorrow,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week.
The White House shared a video of Trump speaking to Alexander on a phone call in May, where Trump said, “You’re an American, and we love you. We’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit—putting a lot of pressure on me.”
“Just because of you, I’m here. You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life,” Alexander told Trump.
Upon Edan’s release from Gaza, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen.”
“This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones,” Trump wrote at the time. “Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”
Leavitt met with released hostages from Gaza earlier this week. Sharing the meeting on social media, she wrote, “It was my honor to meet with another group of brave released hostages from Gaza.”
“The horrors they faced while in Hamas captivity are unimaginable, but their strength, and their faith in God through it all, is beyond inspiring,” she said. “President Trump is working hard to end this brutal war and bring ALL of the hostages home. May God bless them.”
