US President Donald Trump voiced frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of their White House meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Trump criticized Netanyahu for publicly announcing intelligence about Iran's nuclear activities at Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified facility near one of Iran's main nuclear sites. In a Fox & Friends interview, Trump said, "Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?" He added, "I don't need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi's telling me that because he wants me to stay involved."
The New York Post had reported that Netanyahu planned to present evidence of Iran building up its nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain and accused Iran of lying about seeking a peace deal. Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to Trump's remarks.
The meeting marked Netanyahu's first visit to the Oval Office since he and Trump launched their joint military campaign against Iran on February 28, 2026. Relations between the two leaders have been strained recently due to Netanyahu's push to continue fighting Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Trump has pursued diplomatic talks with Tehran.
Trump also publicly urged Netanyahu to be "more responsible with respect to Lebanon" amid ongoing Israeli attacks undermining a ceasefire deal. According to reports, Trump called Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" over the Lebanon conflict.
Earlier on the same day, Trump held a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who discussed licensing arrangements to allow Ukraine to manufacture interceptors for Patriot missile systems. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described both meetings as "positive and productive."
Recent AP-NORC polling showed only 20% of respondents had a favorable view of Netanyahu, compared to 38% unfavorable and 41% neutral.
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