Trump Confirms Expletive-Laden Call with Netanyahu Over Lebanon Escalation
President Trump confirmed he sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Monday call, using profanity and telling him he would be in prison without Trump's support. The call centered on Trump's objection to Israel's escalating military operations in Lebanon, which he viewed as disproportionate and threatening to U.S.-Iran negotiations. The incident highlights tensions between the two leaders while both maintain their relationship remains strong despite tactical disagreements.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he had a tense call with Netanyahu on Monday in which he criticized Israel's military escalation in Lebanon using expletive-laden language. According to U.S. officials briefed on the call, Trump told Netanyahu he was "fucking crazy," would be in prison without Trump's help, and that "everybody hates Israel" because of its actions. Trump's primary concern was that Netanyahu's plans to bomb Beirut and expand ground operations in southern Lebanon were disproportionate, involved excessive civilian casualties, and threatened to derail U.S. negotiations with Iran. Following the call, Netanyahu abandoned plans to strike Beirut, and Trump announced a new ceasefire. Both leaders subsequently downplayed the significance of the disagreement, with Netanyahu characterizing it as a normal tactical difference between allies and Trump reaffirming his support for the Israeli leader.
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