During a CNN panel discussion Thursday , Representative Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat and longstanding critic of former President Donald Trump, found himself reluctantly acknowledging Trump’s influence in facilitating an emerging peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Goldman, who has represented New York’s 10th Congressional District since 2023, served as lead counsel during Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2019, making his admission particularly notable given his history of sharp opposition to the former president.
When discussing the potential end to the conflict in Gaza, Goldman initially credited the involvement of regional powers—Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—for rallying to support détente and creating the conditions for peace negotiations. However, CNN host Abby Phillip challenged this narrative, pointing out that Goldman’s explanation seemed to overlook Trump’s role in the diplomatic breakthrough. “Why do you think that this was not doable when President Biden was in office?” Phillip asked, pressing the congressman to address the shift in dynamics.
Goldman responded by suggesting that the key difference lay in the lack of pressure from regional actors like Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt during Biden’s presidency. He argued that these countries had, in some ways, facilitated the ongoing conflict rather than pushing for resolution, and that their eventual cooperation was critical to the current progress.
Phillip, however, was quick to point out that this change in regional behavior implied a shift driven by Trump’s influence. “By saying that, it’s sort of an acknowledgement that Trump has changed that dynamic,” she noted.
Even CNN can't spin this story about Trump.
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) October 9, 2025
Abby Phillip asks Dan Goldman: "Why was this not doable under President Biden?"pic.twitter.com/r86iPghH0k
Caught off guard and visibly hesitant to give Trump direct credit, Goldman initially avoided mentioning the former president’s name. However, under Phillip’s persistent questioning, he conceded, “Yeah, I think that—I don’t know how he, you know, I think that there’s a lot that remains to learn about what prompted that change, but I do agree, yes. Somehow, someway, that changed.”
His reluctant admission underscored the complexity of attributing credit for the diplomatic progress while navigating his critical stance toward Trump.
Goldman’s district, encompassing lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, includes one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States. As a member of a Jewish family himself, Goldman has consistently voiced strong support for Israel, making his perspective on Middle East policy particularly significant.