President Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's escalation in Lebanon in an expletive-laden call on Monday, two U.S. officials and a third source briefed on the call told Axios. Why it matters: Earlier on Monday, Iran threatened to abandon the negotiations with the U.S. over Israel's actions in Lebanon. On the call, Trump called Netanyahu "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude, according to two of the sources. He also put the brakes on Israel's plan to strike Beirut. Behind the scenes: One U.S. official said Trump told Netanyahu that following through on his threats to bomb the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel around the world. - Two of the sources said Trump claimed he'd helped keep…
President Trump is renewing his pressure campaign on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , telling Axios in an interview that Herzog could become a "national hero." Why it matters: Trump said Netanyahu had raised his corruption trial when they spoke on Tuesday night and told him he'd be back in court on Wednesday, instead of focusing on Iran . "In the middle of a war? Give me a break," Trump told Axios. The intrigue: It was Trump who raised the pardon issue during the call with Axios. - But after repeatedly attacking Herzog over the course of several months, he took a softer approach. "I like the guy, Herzog," Trump said. "He will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much…
To much ado, the secretary of state took the stand against David Rivera, a former congressman accused of secretly lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government.
President Trump told Axios on Thursday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog must pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "today" — calling Herzog "a disgrace" for failing to act over the last year. - "Every day I talk to Bibi about the war. I want him to focus on the war and not on the f*cking court case. I want the only pressure on Bibi to be the fighting against Iran," Trump said in a phone interview. Why it matters: Trump has been pushing for a Netanyahu pardon since last June, arguing that his trial on corruption charges — ongoing since 2020 — is a "witch hunt" akin to the U.S. president's own legal troubles. - But Thursday's comments — which Trump raised himself, unprompted — marked a dramatic escalation and direct…
President Trump called President Isaac Herzog of Israel “disgraceful” because he has not yet pardoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial.