Trump's Tense Exchange with Netanyahu Revealed in New Book

A new book by journalists reveals a tense phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, where Trump expressed frustration over Netanyahu's leadership. The conversation, which took place during the UN General Assembly, included discussions about a ceasefire in Gaza and highlighted the growing strain in US-Israel relations. Trump's remarks, including calling Netanyahu a 'con man,' reflect deeper disagreements over key issues. This book sheds light on the complexities of their relationship amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 25, 2026, 19:44 IST

Insights from the New Book

A recent publication by two journalists from a prominent newspaper has disclosed a revealing moment between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During a charged phone conversation last year, Trump allegedly expressed that the Jewish community was growing weary of Netanyahu's leadership, as reported by a local news outlet.

Details from 'Regime Change'

The book titled "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," authored by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, explores the initial year of Trump's second term. This period included a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the US between Israel and Hamas, which ended a two-year conflict in Gaza. According to early excerpts, Trump reportedly lost his temper during a call that included senior aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both of whom are Jewish. He allegedly told Netanyahu, "Everyone's tired of you, Bibi. Even the two Jews on this call are fed up with you."

Timing of the Conversation

This conversation is said to have taken place during the United Nations General Assembly in September of the previous year, a time when Trump was advocating for a 20-point plan to end the violence in Gaza and initiate reconstruction efforts. That same month, Israel conducted an airstrike in Qatar targeting Hamas leaders who were discussing a potential ceasefire. Although the strike did not eliminate the intended targets, it resulted in the deaths of several lower-ranking Hamas members and a Qatari security guard. Following this incident, Qatar withdrew from its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. It remains unclear if Trump's frustration during the call was related to the airstrike.

Trump's Firm Stance on Ceasefire

During the same call, Trump reportedly emphasized to Netanyahu that abandoning the ceasefire agreement proposed by the US was not an option. He stated, "I'm the best friend Israel has ever had. Everyone despises you, and I have supported you."

Previous Critical Remarks

This is not the first time Trump has made disparaging comments about Netanyahu. In a separate excerpt released earlier, Trump was quoted as calling Netanyahu a "con man" during his second term.

Strained Relations

These revelations come at a time of increasing tension between the two leaders, primarily due to disagreements over the US-Iran deal and Israel's military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Recently, Trump has described Netanyahu as "fucking crazy" and criticized his judgment. Despite these remarks, Trump claims that his overall relationship with Netanyahu remains "good," but he added that the US needs to "keep him a little bit sane."