Trump confirms swearing at Netanyahu over Lebanon strikes

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he berated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with expletives in a phone call on Monday.

Trump made the admission in an interview published by the New York Post, saying he was "perturbed" by Israel's continued fighting with Lebanon. The exchange came amid fears that Israeli strikes on Beirut could derail ongoing peace talks with Tehran.

What did Trump say to Netanyahu in the profanity-laced call?

Trump confirmed he told Netanyahu to stop Israel's attacks on Lebanon, using strong language to make the point. When asked whether he had said "Are you f-ing crazy? What are you f-ing doing? I helped you stay out of jail," Trump replied: "I did." He added that he told Netanyahu directly: "Bibi, we gotta stop this."

Trump described himself as only "a little bit perturbed" and said he still had a "very good relationship" with the Israeli prime minister. "We've done well together. I like Bibi a lot," he said. The remarks suggested Trump viewed the outburst as a moment of frustration rather than a rupture in their alliance.

Why did Trump berate Netanyahu over Lebanon?

Trump's anger was directed at Israel's threats to bomb Beirut, which he feared would undermine diplomatic efforts to end the broader Middle East conflict.

Axios and ABC News reported that Iran had reportedly halted peace talks because of Israel's attacks on Lebanon. Trump's intervention reflected concern that Israeli military action was complicating his administration's negotiations with Tehran.

A White House official pointed to Trump's Truth Social posts from Monday, in which he thanked Netanyahu for what he described as an agreement to pull Israeli troops back from Beirut.

The exchange underscored tensions between the two allies following Israel's attack on Iran in late February, which spread to include Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Israeli media have rejected the account of the conversation as reported.