Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy" during a phone conversation on June 2, 2026 [1].
The exchange highlights growing tensions between the two leaders over Israel's military strategy in Lebanon and the potential for a broader regional conflict.
Trump said the remark occurred during a discussion about the escalating situation in Lebanon. The conversation took place via telephone between the White House in Washington, D.C., and the Israeli Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem [2]. According to reports, the call was profanity-laced as Trump urged the prime minister to reduce military activity.
"He's f---ing crazy," Trump said to Netanyahu during the call [3].
Trump expressed a need to halt the current trajectory of the conflict. "We gotta stop this," Trump said, urging Netanyahu to de-escalate in Lebanon [4].
Despite the harsh language, Trump indicated that the professional relationship between the two leaders remains intact. He noted that the friction is a byproduct of the high stakes involved in Middle East diplomacy.
"I called him crazy, but we work together as wartime president and wartime prime minister," Trump said [5].
The confirmation of the remark follows reports published on June 3, 2026 [6], detailing the explosive nature of the conversation. The dialogue centered on the risk of further escalation, and the specific military actions Israel has taken within Lebanese borders [2].
“"He's f---ing crazy," Trump said to Netanyahu during the call.”
This interaction signals a shift in the public dynamic between Trump and Netanyahu, moving from a relationship of consistent alignment to one of strategic friction. By publicly acknowledging the use of the word 'crazy,' Trump is positioning himself as a voice for de-escalation in Lebanon, potentially distancing his current diplomatic approach from the Israeli government's military objectives.
