Why I asked Netanyahu if he was crazy during tense exchange — Trump

United States President, Donald Trump, has explained why he confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone conversation, saying he was frustrated by Israel’s continued conflict with Lebanon.

Trump confirmed the exchange in an interview published on Wednesday by the New York Post when he was asked about reports that he used strong language while speaking with Netanyahu on Monday.

“You said, ‘Are you f-ing crazy? What are you f-ing doing? I helped you stay out of jail.’ Is that true? Did you speak to him in those terms?” the interviewer asked.

“I did,” Trump responded. “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly faighting with Lebanon.”

“I said, ‘Bibi, we gotta stop this.’”

Despite the disagreement, Trump said his relationship with the Israeli leader remains strong.

Trump went on to say he had a “very good relationship” with Netanyahu. “We’ve done well together… I like Bibi a lot.”

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According to reports by Axios and ABC News, Trump’s outburst was triggered by Israel’s threats to launch strikes on Beirut, the Lebanese capital. The reports said Trump feared such action could derail ongoing efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.

The reported confrontation highlighted tensions between the two conservative allies following a conflict that began after attacks on Iran in late February and later expanded to include Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

However, Israeli media outlets have disputed the account of the conversation.

A White House official directed AFP to Trump’s Truth Social posts made on Monday, in which the US president thanked Netanyahu for what he described as an agreement to withdraw troops from Beirut.