I was perturbed: Trump admits calling Netanyahu 'f***ing crazy' over Beirut attacks

Former US President Donald Trump confirmed he confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military strikes in Lebanon, admitting he called Netanyahu 'f***ing crazy' during a phone call. The exchange occurred as the US sought to maintain fragile negotiations with Iran, which had suspended talks in protest of Israel’s campaign in Lebanon. Trump said he was 'perturbed' by Netanyahu’s actions, warning that continued fighting risked isolating Israel internationally. According to an earlier Axios report, Trump allegedly told Netanyahu: 'You're f***ing crazy. 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.' Another source claimed Trump shouted, 'What the f**k are you doing?' Trump did not deny the details but emphasized his focus on stopping the conflict, stating, 'At some point I said, Bibi, we got to stop this.' The call took place amid escalating tensions, as Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon. Iran had demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon before resuming broader negotiations with the US, framing the conflict as inseparable from wider talks. Following the conversation, Trump announced Israel would pull back from planned operations near Beirut and claimed Hezbollah had agreed to halt attacks through intermediaries. However, these claims were later disputed, raising questions about the call’s impact on the conflict. The exchange highlighted deep US-Israel tensions over Lebanon, where Israel’s military actions risked derailing diplomatic efforts and further destabilizing the region. Trump’s blunt remarks underscored his frustration with Netanyahu’s approach, though the immediate effects of the call remained unclear.