Trump Says Netanyahu Is a Fighter, But Needs to Calm Down

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday night that he has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah, while also praising him as a leader who deserves credit. Trump said Israel and the United States had "fought well together" and that the two countries have had "excellent relations."

Trump described Netanyahu as "a fighting prime minister" and said, "You have to give him credit, because he really did it." At the same time, he urged restraint, saying, "I asked Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Sometimes you need to calm down and use your head."

Trump also shared on his social network an article from Just The News titled, "Trump holds cards that may determine Netanyahu’s shaky chances of being reelected." The piece criticized Netanyahu’s conduct of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon and said Trump had expressed reservations about his leadership.

The article quoted Trump to Axios as saying, "I have a good relationship with Bibi, but he needs to be more rational. I’m willing to meet with him. He is doing a very good job, but he has to be a little more rational." It also said several factors could cause Netanyahu to fail in the next election, and that Trump’s support could be decisive.