U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, Feb. 4, 2025.
At some point this week, the leader of the free world picked up the phone and called the Prime Minister of Israel "effing crazy." He confirmed it publicly. On a podcast. Without much embarrassment. This is where we are.
Trump's blowup with Benjamin Netanyahu is not just a piece of diplomatic gossip. It is a window into one of the most complicated, consequential, and increasingly unstable relationships in international politics and right now, that relationship is under more strain than at any point in recent memory.
Here is what happened. Netanyahu threatened to bomb the Dahieh district of Beirut, one of the most densely populated areas near the Lebanese capital. He framed it as a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violations. Iran responded by threatening to suspend nuclear talks with the United States entirely. Iranian officials warned of retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump called him. He told him what he thought of that decision, in language that left little room for interpretation. Netanyahu turned the troops around. Trump posted on Truth Social calling it a productive conversation. Netanyahu told CNBC that the two leaders "always find a way to work things out, as great friends."
