The Call and Its Immediate Impact
President Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call earlier in the week, using explicit language to express frustration over Israel's military operations in Lebanon. When asked by a New York Post podcast host whether he called Netanyahu "fucking crazy," Trump replied simply: "I did." Trump elaborated that he was "a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon" and told Netanyahu directly: "Bibi, we've got to stop this. We gotta stop it."
According to a U.S. official briefed on the call, Trump's remarks were even more pointed. The official summarized Trump's words as: "You're fucking crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this." A second source said Trump yelled at Netanyahu: "What the fuck are you doing?" The call came after Iran threatened to abandon negotiations with the U.S. over Israel's actions in Lebanon.
Why Trump Intervened
U.S. officials said Trump told Netanyahu to stand down from plans to bomb Beirut, warning that such a move would further isolate Israel globally. The Israeli military had announced it would bomb the capital. After the call, Netanyahu aborted the plan to bomb Beirut, and Trump announced a new ceasefire. However, fighting in southern Lebanon has continued, with Israel having displaced hundreds of thousands of people and razed entire towns to the ground.
Netanyahu's Response and Damage Control
Netanyahu downplayed any rift with Trump during a Wednesday interview with CNBC, rejecting suggestions that their relationship had shifted. "No, this has been a great relationship because he's been the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House," Netanyahu said. He characterized the disagreement as a tactical matter between allies, saying: "We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends. We can disagree in the morning, and by the afternoon, we have common action."
Netanyahu stressed that he and Trump share the objective of disarming Hezbollah and claimed Trump understands that "Lebanon has been taken hostage by Hezbollah." Hezbollah disputes this characterization, arguing that its military operations are a legitimate response to Israeli expansion into Lebanon and that it is defending Lebanese sovereignty. On Wednesday, Trump also offered praise for the Israeli leader, saying he "works well" with Netanyahu and that "I like Bibi a lot."
The Broader Stakes
The dispute centers on competing priorities. Trump is attempting to keep peace talks with Iran on track while de-escalating fighting in Lebanon. Netanyahu is pursuing military operations against Hezbollah, which he argues is necessary to achieve a Lebanese-Israeli peace agreement. Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he wants "peace" with Lebanon and that disarming Hezbollah is essential to achieving a Lebanese-Israeli peace agreement. The Israeli prime minister outlined a new demand for the demilitarization of Lebanon, which would require preventing the Lebanese Armed Forces from acquiring weapons that could pose a threat to Israel.
Since April, Lebanese and Israeli officials have held several rounds of talks in the U.S., but those negotiations have failed to produce a ceasefire or halt Israel's destruction of Lebanese towns.
