So, here’s the scoop: According to reports from sources like The New York Times, former President Donald Trump went on a major tirade against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a media interview on June 14. He didn’t hold back, calling Netanyahu “a very tough guy” and saying he “has no political judgment at all.” Israeli officials were left in shock, describing Trump’s public remarks as “a real slap in the face.”
This image shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump in a file photo.
Here’s the background: Right when the U.S. and Iran were on the verge of striking a deal, Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. In his interview, Trump made it clear he was furious. He acknowledged that Hezbollah fired first, but pointed out that the attack caused no casualties or damage. He argued that Israel shouldn’t have struck at such a sensitive moment, calling it a near miss that could have derailed the entire agreement.
“Why the hell did Bibi have to launch that attack? I was absolutely livid. I made sure he knew it. He has no political judgment. I made sure he understood that,” Trump said, visibly agitated.
According to The New York Times, Trump went further, slamming Netanyahu personally. “He’s a very tough guy to deal with, and honestly, he should be deeply grateful for what we’ve done. Because if Iran ever gets nuclear weapons, Israel wouldn’t last two hours,” Trump added.
The Israeli side was blindsided. The Times of Israel reported that senior officials were stunned by the intensity of Trump’s criticism. One high-ranking official close to Netanyahu told local media, “Trump’s statement was a real slap in the face. The restrictions from the U.S. have now escalated. Expecting us not to strike anywhere in Lebanon is completely out of line with what a strategic ally should do.”
Sources from The Jerusalem Post also revealed that after the airstrike on Beirut, Trump and Netanyahu had a phone call. Earlier, Trump had publicly condemned the attacks.
