President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had a tense phone conversation, during which Trump expressed anger and used profanity towards Netanyahu. Sources revealed that Trump made derogatory remarks about Netanyahu during the 15-minute call on Monday, following Israel’s expanded military actions in Lebanon against Hezbollah, drawing criticism from various countries.
While Trump has been optimistic about a potential peace agreement with Iran, Israel has issued warnings for residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate as Israeli troops advance further into the region than they have in over two decades.
Trump’s frustration with Netanyahu escalated after Iran threatened to halt peace negotiations with the United States due to Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah. Reports from US government sources indicated that Trump criticized Netanyahu for actions that allegedly tarnished Israel’s reputation.
During the brief call, Trump reportedly accused Netanyahu of being disliked globally and insinuated that he had shielded Netanyahu from legal consequences in the past. Trump’s harsh words included calling Netanyahu “stupid” and claiming to be the reason Netanyahu was not in jail, stating, “Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Another source familiar with the conversation described Trump as furious and confrontational towards Netanyahu, questioning his decisions. Trump’s public statements on peace negotiations with Iran have been conflicting, initially expressing disinterest and later claiming that talks were progressing rapidly.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz disclosed that Netanyahu informed Trump of potential military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Trump insisted there would be no deployment of troops to Beirut despite escalating tensions.
Despite a ceasefire brokered by Washington in April, ongoing hostilities persist, with Israel citing self-defense for its strikes in Lebanon. A new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled for the following days in Washington, aimed at securing a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to prevent further conflicts.
