![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) is in the US meeting with officials from the Trump administration [File: Celal Guneş/ Anadolu Agency]](https://angelnetworknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AA-20250205-36957730-36957722-DONALD_TRUMP_BENJAMIN_NETANYAHU_JOINT_PRESS_CONFERENCE_IN_WASHINGTON_DC-1-1738788551.webp "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) is in the US meeting with officials from the Trump administration [File: Celal Guneş/ Anadolu Agency]")
US President Donald Trump has confirmed he sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent phone call, saying he was “a little bit perturbed” by Israel’s continued military actions against Lebanon.
Speaking in an interview aired on Wednesday, Trump downplayed reports of a highly heated exchange while acknowledging he pressed Netanyahu to halt the fighting with Hezbollah.
“I wouldn’t say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constant fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said. “At some point, I said, ‘Bibi, we gotta stop this, you gotta stop it.’”
During the call, Trump reportedly lashed out in expletive-laden language, telling Netanyahu: “You’re fing crazy. What the f* are you doing?”
He objected to Israel’s plan to destroy buildings in Beirut to target a single Hezbollah commander, warning that such disproportionate actions were fueling global anger against Israel.
Trump accused Netanyahu of ingratitude, reminding him that U.S. support had shielded him politically and diplomatically. At one point, Trump reportedly said: “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass.”
Earlier that same day, Iran threatened to abandon negotiations with the U.S. over Israel’s actions in Lebanon. Trump feared that Netanyahu’s aggressive posture could derail talks with Tehran and destabilize the region further.
Sources told Axios that Trump effectively “steamrolled” Netanyahu, forcing him to back down from a major raid on Beirut.
While Netanyahu publicly insisted Israel’s position remained unchanged, U.S. officials said Trump’s intervention halted the planned strikes.
Trump nevertheless stressed the strength of their personal relationship.
“But I have a very good relationship with him. We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot,” Trump added.
The comments follow reports of an expletive-laden call in which Trump reportedly told Netanyahu he was “fucking crazy” and warned that planned strikes on Beirut could derail US efforts to negotiate with Iran.
Trump’s intervention is said to have forced Israel to scale back planned operations in southern Beirut. The tensions highlight growing US frustration with the scope of Israel’s multi-front military campaign.
