Trump confirms calling Netanyahu 'crazy,' says they still get along

President Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Oct. 13, 2025. Trump visited to country as part of a ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Europe hide caption

President Trump has confirmed that he called Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy" and used an expletive during a heated telephone call this week that halted planned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut.

Trump acknowledged he made the remarks when asked by conservative writer Miranda Devine on her podcast, Pod Force One.

"I did. I wouldn't say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon. You know, at some point I said, 'Bibi we got to stop this. We got to stop it,'" Trump said.

Trump's remarks in the Monday call to Netanyahu were first reported by Axios.

Netanyahu recently ordered a major military operation in southern Lebanon against the militant group Hezbollah. He said it was in response to Hezbollah fire on communities in northern Israel.

The Israeli leader went to Israel's northern border last Friday and told Israeli troops to "keep striking Hezbollah relentlessly." He went on to say, "Keep going with great success until the mission is complete."

Netanyahu went further on Monday. He put out a statement saying Israel would carry out airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, where many group leaders are based.