President Donald Trump said he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" during a recent phone call regarding military actions in Lebanon.
The exchange signals a potential shift or tension in the relationship between the U.S. and its closest ally in the Middle East. This friction comes as Israel continues operations near Beirut while ceasefire talks remain critical.
Speaking on the New York Post’s "Pod Force One" podcast on June 3, 2026 [1], Trump said he was frustrated with the current state of regional conflict. He said he was perturbed by the constant fighting with Lebanon and expressed concern that Israel's strategy was counterproductive.
Trump said that the Israeli government's current approach is complicating peace talks with Iran. The president said that the persistent military engagements are creating obstacles to a broader diplomatic resolution in the region.
During the conversation, Trump used blunt language to describe the Israeli leader's decision-making. He said that he told Netanyahu, "You're f***ing crazy," in response to the ongoing attacks [2].
Despite the harsh critique of the prime minister, Trump emphasized his historical role in supporting the Jewish state. He said there would be no Israel if it was not for him [3].
These comments follow reports of Israeli strikes just south of Beirut occurring ahead of the second day of ceasefire negotiations [1]. The tension between the two leaders highlights a disconnect between the U.S. administration's desire for regional stability and the Israeli government's security objectives.
“"I was perturbed by the constant fighting with Lebanon."”
The public admission of this friction suggests a volatile diplomatic dynamic where the US may pressure Israel to curtail its operations in Lebanon to facilitate a larger deal with Iran. By framing the Israeli leadership's actions as 'crazy,' Trump is positioning himself as the primary arbiter of stability in the region, balancing strong support for Israel's existence with a demand for strategic compliance.
