Donald Trump recently expressed his discontent during a podcast interview regarding a call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In that conversation, Trump allegedly described Netanyahu as “f***ing crazy” while persuading him to reconsider military actions planned against Beirut.
Netanyahu has stated that he and Trump share common views on significant issues, although the stability of the ceasefire among the U.S., Israel, and Iran remains uncertain following Iran’s directive to target a U.S. base in Kuwait.
In the wake of escalating violence in southern Lebanon, which included Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah’s retaliatory rocket and drone attacks, Netanyahu revealed on Monday that he had authorized an operation against the Hezbollah stronghold in Dahiyeh. Shortly after this announcement, Trump and Netanyahu had their phone conversation.
According to Axios, Trump expressed his frustration during the call, reportedly telling Netanyahu, “You’re f*****g crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me,” emphasizing that he was attempting to protect Netanyahu’s interests, stating, “I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
In a subsequent interview with a New York Post podcast, Trump confirmed the use of strong language but clarified his feelings, noting, “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon.” He urged Netanyahu to halt the ongoing conflict, saying, “We got to stop this.”
Despite the heated exchange, Trump insisted that his relationship with Netanyahu remains positive, highlighting their roles as leaders during wartime.
Later, Netanyahu addressed the conversation during an appearance on CNBC, choosing not to divulge specifics but affirming their overall agreement on key issues, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program. He likened their relationship to that of a family, suggesting that while they may have tactical disagreements, they always manage to resolve them as friends.
Regarding the future of negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu stated that it ultimately rests with Trump to decide the path forward, especially considering the ongoing conflict that reignited on February 28. He assured that the Israeli military stands prepared for any developments ahead.
Trump continued to highlight the progress in negotiations with Iran and mentioned his willingness to engage with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in the future. He noted that Khamenei had suffered injuries from earlier attacks in the conflict and is reportedly in hiding, only reachable through intermediaries.
