New book says Trump called Netanyahu a 'con man' and was rattled by the pager blasts
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
By יענקי פרבר
First reported by Ynet · Jun 20, 2026
What happened
A new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan says Trump told Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk he would not go to war with Iran, then later backed an attack plan after meeting Benjamin Netanyahu. The book also says Trump called Netanyahu a "con man" and was both fascinated and horrified by Israel’s 2024 pager attack on Hezbollah. The book, "Change Agent," is set for U.S. release Tuesday.
- 01Trump allegedly told Carlson and Musk, "We are not doing that," about war with Iran.
- 02The book says Trump called Netanyahu a "con man" in private.
- 03A February 2026 Situation Room meeting led Trump to support Israel’s Iran strike case.
- 04Trump was stunned by Israel’s 2024 pager attack on Hezbollah and described the injuries in detail.
- 05The book, by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, is due out Tuesday.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.
