©picture alliance / CNP/AdMedia | CNP/AdMedia
US President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy" in a telephone conversation on Monday. News site Axios reports this based on three sources involved in the conversation.
According to one of the sources, Trump warned Netanyahu that bombing the Lebanese capital of Beirut would "further isolate" Israel. "You are crazy. Without my help you would have been in jail by now. I bailed you out and everybody hates you now. Everyone hates Israel because of this," Trump is reported to have said. He also reportedly shouted, "What the hell are you doing?"
Trump was possibly referring to his support for Netanyahu when the Israeli prime minister was indicted in 2019 for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Just last summer, the U.S. president said he "will not tolerate" the "political witch hunt" in Israel.
Trump's lashing out has to do with his frustration with Israel's handling of the fight with Hezbollah. According to the sources, Trump believes that in recent days Netanyahu escalated the conflicts in an excessive manner.
Trump's violent outburst comes after rising tensions in the Middle East. The conversation took place at a time when tensions are running high, including Israeli airstrikes on Beirut that drew international criticism. According to sources, the U.S. president tried to convince Netanyahu of the need to limit the escalation.
Netanyahu has not yet responded to Axios' report on the phone call. The incident already marks a rare public rift in the relationship between the two leaders, who previously maintained a close alliance.
©picture alliance / CNP/AdMedia | CNP/AdMedia - illustration image of the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu on September 29, 2025 in Washington.