Trump teases Bibi endorsement as public rift over Iran deal, Lebanon grows

President Donald Trump has signaled he will likely support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s upcoming election, offering a potentially strong endorsement despite having publicly clashed with the Israeli leader over tensions in Iran and Lebanon.

“I’ll have to see who’s running, but I like Bibi a lot. I’ll probably support him,” Trump said in an interview with Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, using Netanyahu’s pseudonym, according to the Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

“But I need to see who’s running,” Trump added. “I have a good relationship with Bibi, but she needs to be more sensible. I’m ready to meet with her. She’s doing a very good job; she needs to be a little more sensible.”

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The remarks come as Trump has made increasingly harsh criticism of his longtime political ally as the United States pushes ahead with Middle East diplomacy involving Iran and Lebanon.

Axios reported earlier this month that Trump attacked Netanyahu during a phone call about Israel’s actions in Lebanon, with a US official describing Trump’s message as calling the Israeli leader “fucking crazy.” Trump later confirmed that he made the comment in an interview on the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast, saying he liked Netanyahu and worked “very well” with him.

Tensions flared again after Israel’s attack on Beirut nearly made the signing of the US-Iran agreement difficult. Trump told Axios he was “very angry” about the attack and insisted that the Iran deal remained on track while Netanyahu “had no decisions”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with soldiers at the Israel-Lebanon border. (Haim Tzach/Israeli Prime Ministry)

Trump on Wednesday described recent tensions between himself and Netanyahu as a “minor disagreement” over Lebanon and suggested the Israeli leader “gets a little excited sometimes,” according to the report.

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Trump also said of the Israeli leader on Wednesday: “You can use a little softer touch, maybe you don’t have to destroy a building every time a Hezbollah member walks in.”

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has repeatedly emphasized his relationship with Trump in official speeches, calling him “our great friend” and “personal friend” and saying the two leaders “talk almost every day” and “will decide.”[e] together”, according to the statement made by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Vice President J.D. Vance touched on concerns about Iran in an interview with The New York Times on Thursday, saying the United States would not lift sanctions if Tehran continues to fund terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.

“They assume that whatever is thought to be good for Iran will happen — but it will happen without the Iranians changing any behavior,” Vance said, referring to what he described as a “bizarre panic” in Israel over the Iran deal.

Vice President J.D. Vance speaks at the 20th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images)

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“That’s not how the agreement was written,” Vance added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Israeli embassy for comment.