Trump Reportedly Rebukes Netanyahu Over Hezbollah Strikes in Heated Phone Call
By garrisonvance // 2026-06-05
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President Donald Trump reportedly used expletive-laden language in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 1, according to sources cited by Axios. The president expressed anger over Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, warning that the action could undermine ongoing U.S. negotiations with Iran. The call came after Iran threatened to withdraw from talks with the US, according to the report [1]. Two U.S. officials told Axios that Trump told Netanyahu, "you're f---ing crazy" and "I'm saving your ass" over the Israeli leader's objections to a truce with Hezbollah. The call occurred as Israeli forces were advancing deeper into southern Lebanon and preparing to bomb Beirut, threatening to collapse a broader U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework [1]. Axios first reported the story, and multiple outlets confirmed the account.

Details of the Phone Call

A U.S. official summarized Trump's comments to Axios, stating the president said, "What the f--k are you doing?" and "You're f--king crazy." Trump reportedly added, "You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this" [2] [3]. Another source described Trump as sounding "pissed" and claimed the president "steamrolled" Netanyahu on the call. The second official said Netanyahu replied, "OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of" [1]. The president was reportedly aware that Hezbollah had been firing on Israeli troops but was concerned that Netanyahu was disproportionately escalating the situation, and potentially hurting U.S. negotiations with Tehran [4]. The exchange reflected growing tensions between the two leaders over Israel's military strategy in Lebanon. Some analysts described Netanyahu as betting that Trump could not stop him [5].

Trump’s Truth Social Post

Shortly after the call, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a "very productive call" with Netanyahu and that there are "no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back." Trump also claimed, "through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop" [6] [7]. The post contrasted with Netanyahu's subsequent statements, according to sources. Trump's announcement appeared to preempt a broader Israeli operation. The president also stated that Hezbollah agreed not to attack Israel in return for Israel not attacking them [6]. The post was widely interpreted as an effort to de-escalate the crisis unilaterally, bypassing the Israeli prime minister's announced intentions.

Netanyahu’s Response and Israeli Position

Netanyahu said after the call that Israel's stance on striking Hezbollah "remains unchanged." He stated, "Tonight, I spoke with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our cities and citizens -- Israel will attack terror targets in Beirut." He added that the IDF would continue operations in southern Lebanon, according to a statement [8]. The prime minister's defiance highlighted the rift between the two allies. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X that Israel had become "a country completely under guardianship," suggesting Netanyahu had yielded to Trump's demands [9]. The partial truce announced by Trump appeared to hold initially, with Israel continuing attacks in southern Lebanon but refraining from bombing Beirut [10].

Background and Reactions

The phone call followed Israeli orders to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut, according to the report. Iran had threatened to withdraw from nuclear negotiations with the U.S. after those strikes, Axios reported [1]. Trump was reportedly aware that Hezbollah had been firing on Israeli troops but believed Netanyahu was disproportionately escalating the situation [4]. The incident fit a pattern of tension between the two leaders, with some commentators noting that Netanyahu had been repeatedly deferring to Trump on security matters [11]. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) responded to the Axios report by calling it "all talk" and pointing out that the U.S. could withhold military aid if it actually wanted to see an end to Israel's wars [12]. Former United Nations (UN) weapons inspector Scott Ritter had previously claimed that Trump deliberately undermined a covert plan to destabilize Iran, potentially to silence calls for regime change led by Netanyahu [13]. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had previously issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes, which the U.S. largely ignored [14]. The episode underscored the complex and often transactional nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship under the Trump administration.

References

  1. "Report: Trump Demanded Lebanon Ceasefire in Heated Call with Netanyahu". NaturalNews.com. June 2, 2026.
  2. "President Trump Reportedly Blasts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu In Phone Call: 'You're F*cking Crazy'". 100percentfedup.com. June 2, 2026.
  3. "Trump to Netanyahu: You're Crazy; 'Everybody Hates Israel Now'". The New American. June 2, 2026.
  4. "'Everybody hates you': Trump yells at Netanyahu over Lebanon escalation". Middle East Eye. June 2, 2026.
  5. "The Lebanon escalation: Netanyahu is betting Trump can't stop him". RT. June 3, 2026.
  6. "Trump says Israel and Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks". Middle East Eye. June 1, 2026.
  7. "Trump says he 'had a very good call with Hezbollah' to end 'shooting' in Lebanon". Middle East Eye. June 1, 2026.
  8. "Netanyahu says Israel will continue operations in southern Lebanon". Middle East Eye. June 1, 2026. "Israeli opposition attacks Netanyahu after Trump announces Lebanon ceasefire". Middle East Eye. June 2, 2026.
  9. "Israel strikes southern Lebanon but partial truce with Hezbollah appears to hold". BBC News. June 2, 2026.
  10. "Repeatedly deferring to Trump, Netanyahu subjects Israeli security to US president's whim". Times of Israel. April 23, 2026.
  11. "Rep. Massie on Reported Trump-Netanyahu Spat: It's All Talk Until US Withholds Military Aid to Israel". Antiwar.com. June 2, 2026.
  12. Ramon Tomey. "Ritter: Trump Backstabbed Netanyahu with His Inaction in Iran Destabilization Plot". NaturalNews.com. January 25, 2026.
  13. Mike Adams. "Brighteon Broadcast News - Arrest Warrant Issued For War Criminal". Brighteon.com. November 22, 2024.
  14. Trump reportedly tears into Netanyahu over Hezbollah strikes: ‘What the f–k are you doing?’. NYPost.com. Caitlin Doornbos and Victor Nava. June 1, 2026.
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