President Donald Trump reportedly denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “fcking crazy” during a Monday phone call, condemning his recent military escalations in Lebanon and warning that Netanyahu would face imprisonment without his intervention.
According to two U.S. officials and a third source briefed on the conversation, Trump criticized Netanyahu’s decision to escalate operations against Lebanese targets following Hezbollah attacks on Israeli forces. The president also claimed Netanyahu had been saved from legal consequences by his own support during corruption trials, stating: “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me.”
Trump further indicated he persuaded Netanyahu to halt planned strikes on Beirut, describing the Israeli leader’s reversal as a positive outcome. A U.S. official noted Trump emphasized that Netanyahu’s recent actions risked international isolation and undermined Israel’s global standing, while simultaneously expressing concern that Netanyahu’s escalation tactics had been “disproportionate” in response to Hezbollah’s attacks.
The report underscores growing tensions over the trajectory of hostilities in Lebanon, as Trump reiterated his stance on diplomatic channels with Netanyahu during their conversation.
