President Donald Trump issued a forceful defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening, June 25, calling for the immediate cancellation of his corruption trial or a presidential pardon. Trump described the ongoing legal proceedings as politically motivated and urged swift action to end what he characterized as unfair treatment of the Israeli leader.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump expressed shock that Netanyahu was still being summoned to court following what he described as one of Israel’s greatest moments in history. The President condemned the prosecution as a “Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister” and called the proceedings a “horror show.”
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three separate cases. The legal proceedings began in 2020, and more than 100 witnesses, including some of his closest former allies, have testified against him. Prosecutors allege he traded regulatory favors with media executives for positive coverage and accepted expensive gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan.
Trump specifically referenced testimony about Netanyahu’s wife requesting a giant Bugs Bunny stuffed toy for their son ahead of a 1996 dinner with Milchan. The President dismissed these details as trivial, describing the case as involving “cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges.”
The timing of Trump’s statement coincides with his administration’s recent military actions against Iran and the subsequent ceasefire negotiations. Trump indicated that he and Netanyahu had endured significant challenges together while confronting what he described as a longtime enemy of Israel. He praised Netanyahu as a warrior who helped achieve what many considered impossible.
Netanyahu was scheduled to return to court this week in Jerusalem to continue his testimony, but the appearance has been postponed due to security concerns. He became the first sitting Israeli leader to testify as a criminal defendant in his own corruption trial. The Prime Minister has consistently denied all allegations against him throughout the lengthy legal process.
Trump’s intervention represents an unusual diplomatic gesture, with the American President directly weighing in on the domestic legal affairs of a foreign ally. He emphasized the close working relationship between the two leaders and suggested that their cooperation during recent Middle East conflicts demonstrated Netanyahu’s value as a partner.
The corruption cases against Netanyahu have been ongoing for several years, creating political instability in Israel. The charges stem from allegations that he accepted luxury gifts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from wealthy businessmen and allegedly sought to manipulate media coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits to media companies.
In addition to the domestic corruption charges, Netanyahu separately faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. However, Trump’s statement focused exclusively on the corruption trial, which he characterized as a politically motivated attack on a heroic leader.
Trump concluded his social media post by declaring that “Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State.” He suggested that the United States, having played a role in defending Israel during recent conflicts, should now take action to protect Netanyahu from what he viewed as unjust legal proceedings.
The President’s statement comes as his administration celebrates what officials describe as successful military operations against Iran‘s nuclear facilities. Trump has portrayed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran as a diplomatic victory, though both sides have accused each other of violations in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump announced that United States officials planned to meet with Iranian representatives the following week as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. Iran has denied that such talks are scheduled and reaffirmed its commitment to its nuclear program despite the recent military strikes.
The President’s defense of Netanyahu reflects the close relationship between the two leaders, which has been strengthened through their collaboration during the recent Middle East crisis. Trump indicated that perhaps no one he knows could have worked in better harmony with him than Netanyahu during this challenging period.
Trump’s call for intervention in Netanyahu’s legal proceedings represents a significant departure from traditional diplomatic protocols, where foreign leaders typically avoid commenting on domestic legal matters in allied nations. The statement underscores the personal nature of the relationship between the two leaders and Trump’s willingness to use his platform to support Netanyahu during his legal challenges.