US President Donald Trump used profanity-laced language during a heated phone call on June 1, 2026, to force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt planned airstrikes on Beirut.

 

Trump ‘shouted and cursed Netanyahu over threat to resume Beirut bombing’

US President Donald Trump used profanity-laced language during a heated phone call on June 1, 2026, to force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt planned airstrikes on Beirut.

The tension stems from a critical point in Middle East diplomacy, where the Trump administration's ongoing peace and nuclear negotiations with Iran are hanging in the balance.

 

Core Reasons for the Conflict

• Iran's Ultimatum: Iran threatened to entirely suspend its diplomatic talks with the US in protest of Israel's widening military campaign and deep incursions into Lebanon.
• Disproportionate Escalation: Trump reportedly viewed Israel’s expanding ground operations and heavy strikes in Beirut as counterproductive and excessive, notably citing instances where entire civilian buildings were destroyed to target a single Hezbollah commander. [1]
• The "Glitch": Trump later acknowledged a temporary "glitch" in diplomacy but claimed to have put the negotiations back on track after aggressively intervening.

What Was Said on the Call

According to leaks from US officials published by Axios and covered widely by outlets like The Guardian, Trump slammed Netanyahu during a 15-minute call:

• "What the f* are you doing?"** Trump allegedly shouted as he demanded an immediate scale-back of the Beirut bombing threat.
• "You're fing crazy."* The President berated Netanyahu’s military strategy, accusing him of isolating Israel.
• "I'm saving your ass." Trump accused Netanyahu of ingratitude, referencing his political efforts to support Netanyahu amidst the Prime Minister's ongoing domestic corruption trials.
• "Everybody hates Israel because of this." Trump warned that the continued offensive was destroying international standing.

Conflicting Statements and Aftermath

The public narratives from Washington and Jerusalem immediately diverged following the leak:

• Trump's Public Response: Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a "very productive" call, claiming Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a mutual cessation of attacks. He declared that any Israeli troops moving toward a "major raid of Beirut" had been turned back.
• Netanyahu's Defiance: Netanyahu countered on social media platform X, stating that Israel's stance remains unchanged. He explicitly noted that he told Trump that if Hezbollah does not stop rocket fire, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue attacking terror targets in Beirut.
• Israeli Damage Control: Sources within the Israeli Prime Minister's office have downplayed the severity of the call. They deny that Trump cursed at Netanyahu personally, though they admit Trump emphasized how difficult it has become to defend Israel's actions to the global community.
• Far-Right Pushback: Domestically, Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right coalition partners like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who publicly urged Netanyahu to defy the US president and press forward with the military campaign.