UMVA has learned that President Donald Trump is likely to back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s upcoming elections, a potentially powerful endorsement that comes amid public tensions between the two leaders over Iran and Lebanon.
In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, Trump expressed his fondness for Netanyahu, saying "I like Bibi very much. I would be most likely to endorse him," using Netanyahu’s nickname. However, Trump also cautioned that he needs to see who else is running in the elections.
Trump’s comments come as he has been increasingly critical of Netanyahu, despite their long-standing political alliance. The US President has been pushing ahead with Middle East diplomacy involving Iran and Lebanon, which has led to tensions with the Israeli leader.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Trump previously lashed out at Netanyahu during a call over Israel’s actions in Lebanon, with one US official reportedly summarizing Trump’s message as calling the Israeli leader "f---ing crazy." However, Trump has since downplayed the incident, saying he likes Netanyahu and works "very well" with him.
The tensions between Trump and Netanyahu flared again after an Israeli strike in Beirut nearly complicated the signing of the US-Iran deal. Trump reportedly expressed frustration with Netanyahu, saying he was "so pissed off" over the strike and questioning the Israeli leader’s judgment.
Despite these tensions, Netanyahu has continued to highlight his relationship with Trump, calling him "our great friend" and "my personal friend." The Israeli Prime Minister has also claimed that the two leaders "speak almost every day" and "decid[e] together."
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns over Iran in a recent interview, saying the US would not lift sanctions if Tehran continues funding terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah. Vance emphasized that the Iran deal is not a guarantee of improved relations, and that Iran must change its behavior.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Trump has described recent tensions between him and Netanyahu as a "little dispute" over Lebanon, suggesting that the Israeli leader "gets a little excited sometimes." Trump also reportedly advised Netanyahu to take a "softer touch" when dealing with Hezbollah.
As the Israeli elections approach, Trump’s endorsement could prove crucial for Netanyahu. But with tensions still simmering between the two leaders, it remains to be seen how their relationship will evolve in the coming weeks.
