Trump Says He and Netanyahu Get Along Well Ahead of Possible White House Meeting

In an exclusive phone interview with Israel's Channel 12 on July 4, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House, potentially scheduled for next week after Trump's return from the NATO summit. Trump stated, "We get along great. He knows who’s boss," referring to himself. However, a senior Israeli official noted that the timing might be mid-July rather than next week due to Trump's travel to Turkey.

This would mark Netanyahu's first meeting with Trump since their dramatic February encounter in the White House Situation Room, where Netanyahu presented his plan to combat Iran. Since then, many of Trump's close advisors have grown skeptical and disappointed with Netanyahu’s approach to Iran, with one senior American official saying, "Many of Trump’s closest advisers think Bibi was wrong about almost everything."

The two leaders recently spoke on July 3, when Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Prime Minister emphasized the strong bond between the U.S. and Israel and the importance of American support for global freedom. Both agreed to meet soon in the United States.

Trump also commented on the ongoing tensions with Iran, noting that the Iranians are "begging to reach an agreement," but both sides have paused hostilities temporarily following the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation. Trump expressed surprise at the emotional displays at Khamenei’s funeral, suggesting the tears might be insincere. He warned that while a single shot could escalate into a full conflict, neither side currently wants to provoke such a war, as negotiations remain possible.

Despite recent divergences between Trump and Netanyahu on security and foreign policy, including Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran and pressure on Israel to limit military actions in Lebanon, a White House meeting would be politically significant for Netanyahu as he prepares for the upcoming October elections amid lagging poll numbers.