President Donald Trump said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can apply a "softer touch" during operations against Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
PresidentDonald Trumpsignaled he is likely to back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s upcoming elections, dangling a potentially powerful endorsement even as he has been at odds with the Israeli leader publicly over the tensions in Iran. Lebanon.
"I’ll have to look at who’s running, but I like Bibi very much. I would be most likely to endorse him," Trump said in an interview with Israeli public broadcaster KAN News. using Netanyahu’s nickname, the Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.
"But I need to see who is running," Trump added. "I have a good relationship with Bibi, but he needs to be more rational. I am willing to meet with him. He’s doing a very good job; he’s got to be a little bit more rational."
'BIBI'S HAIR ON FIRE': TRUMP-NETANYAHU PUBLIC 'RIFT' MASKED UNIFIED FRONT AGAINST IRAN, ANALYST SAYS
President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House in Washington. D.C., on Sept. 29, 2025.(Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The remarks came as Trump has offered increasingly pointed criticism of his longtime political ally, while the U.S. pushes ahead withMiddle East diplomacyinvolving Iran and Lebanon.
Axios reported earlier this month thatTrump lashed out at Netanyahuduring a call over Israel’s actions in Lebanon, with one U.S. official summarizing Trump’s message as calling the Israeli leader "f---ing crazy." Trump later confirmed in an interview on the New York Post’s "Pod Force One" podcast that he made the remark, while also saying he likes Netanyahu. works "very well" with him.
The tensions flared again after anIsraeli strike in Beirut nearlycomplicated the signing of the U.S.-Iran deal. Trump told Axios he was "so pissed off" over the strike. said Netanyahu had "no f---ing judgment," while still insisting the Iran agreement remained on track.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with soldiers on the Israel-Lebanon border.(Haim Tzach/Israeli Prime Minister's Office)
On Wednesday, Trump described recent tensions between he. Netanyahu as a "little dispute" over Lebanon and suggested the Israeli leader "gets a little excited sometimes," according to the report.
VANCE WARNS IRAN THAT 'ANOTHER OPTION ON THE TABLE' IF NUCLEAR DEAL NOT REACHED
"I say you can do a little softer touch. maybe you don’t need to bring down a building every time a Hezbollah member walks into it," Trump also said Wednesday about the Israeli leader.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has repeatedly highlightedhis relationship with Trumpin official remarks, calling him "our great friend". "my personal friend," and saying the two leaders "speak almost every day" and "decid[e] together," according to statements released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Vice PresidentJD Vanceaddressed concerns over Iran in an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, saying the U.S. would not lift sanctions if Tehran continues funding terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.
"They assume that everything that is contemplated that is good for Iran will happen —. that will happen without the Iranians changing any behavior," Vance said, referring to what he described as a "weird panic" in Israel over the Iran deal.
Vice President JD Vance speaks at the 20th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28, 2025.(TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images)
"That’s not how the deal is written," Vance added.
Fox News Digital reached out to theWhite Houseand the Israeli embassy for comment.
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