US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy” during a heated phone conversation over Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon, confirming details first reported by Axios. Trump said the exchange took place as Washington was simultaneously working to negotiate an end to hostilities involving Iran, adding that he urged Netanyahu to halt the escalation.
In an interview on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump said he was “a little bit perturbed” by Netanyahu’s continued military push, telling him: “At some point I said, Bibi, we got to stop this. We got to stop it.” He insisted the remark was not made in anger but out of frustration that the conflict was widening despite diplomatic efforts.
Axios had earlier cited an unnamed US official who claimed Trump told Netanyahu: “You’re [expletive] crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving you. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” Trump did not dispute the substance of the report, though he downplayed the tone, saying the two leaders still share a strong relationship.
Israeli officials have avoided publicly commenting on the call, with local media quoting sources who described the tensions as exaggerated. The dispute comes at a sensitive moment, as Israel continues operations in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, which has carried out repeated cross‑border attacks since March.
The conflict has complicated ongoing US–Iran negotiations, with Tehran insisting it will not agree to any deal unless a ceasefire includes Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon this week reportedly killed at least six people, and Israel said it intercepted a hostile aircraft likely launched by Hezbollah.
Trump also rejected suggestions that Netanyahu influenced his past decisions on Iran, saying he acted independently due to concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.