You're f***ing crazy: Trump explodes at Netanyahu over escalation in Lebanon

President Trump on Monday reportedly delivered a sharp rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call over Israel's military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a report by Axios.

The reported exchange came after Iran threatened to withdraw from ongoing negotiations with the United States following Israeli strikes on targets in southern Beirut. Trump was said to be concerned that Israel's actions could undermine diplomatic efforts with Tehran and escalate tensions in the region.

“You’re f–king 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,” a US official told Axios, summarizing Trump’s comments.

According to Axios, Trump questioned Netanyahu's decision-making during the call, with one US official describing the president's remarks as unusually blunt. The official said Trump accused the Israeli leader of escalating the situation and warned that Israel's actions were damaging its international standing.

Another source cited by Axios said Trump appeared visibly angry during the conversation and largely dominated the discussion. The source claimed Netanyahu responded by assuring the US president that the situation would be managed.

The report said Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah had been firing on Israeli forces but believed Israel's military response risked broadening the conflict and jeopardizing negotiations with Iran.

Following the call, Trump sought to present the conversation in positive terms through a post on Truth Social. He said he had held a "very productive" discussion with Netanyahu and claimed Israeli forces heading toward Beirut had been turned back.

Trump also said he had spoken through intermediaries with Hezbollah representatives and that both sides had agreed to halt attacks on each other.

"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no troops going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way, have already been turned back," Trump wrote.

He added that Hezbollah had agreed to stop firing on Israel and that Israel, in turn, would refrain from attacking the group.

However, Netanyahu later signaled that Israel's military policy had not changed.

In a statement following the call, the Israeli prime minister said he informed Trump that Israel would continue targeting Hezbollah if attacks against Israeli cities and civilians persisted.

"Tonight, I spoke with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our cities and citizens — Israel will attack terror targets in Beirut," Netanyahu said.

"This stance of ours remains unchanged."

Netanyahu also said the Israel Defense Forces would continue planned operations in southern Lebanon, underscoring a potential gap between Trump's claims of de-escalation and Israel's stated military objectives.

The developments highlight growing pressure on the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts with Iran, while also exposing differences between Washington and Jerusalem over how to respond to Hezbollah's activities along Israel's northern border.

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