Netanyahu echoes Zelenskyy claim. Trump silent, doesn't remind him who 'holds cards.'
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President Donald Trump arrives at PBIA
President Donald Trump arrives at PBIA
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told ABC News that the U.S. could be a future target of Iran.
Netanyahu's statement echoes a similar remark by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, which drew a sharp rebuke from Trump in February.
Trump criticized French President Macron, news media, and Tucker Carlson on social media but hasn't addressed Netanyahu's comments.
Trump denied initiating peace talks with Iran and reiterated his stance on Iran's nuclear capabilities.
As hostilities continue between Iran and Israel, President Donald Trump threatened Iran's top leader, took French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to task, as well as "kooky" Tucker Carlson, and lashed out at news media reports. But Trump looked past a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that echoed comments that sparked public friction between himself and Ukraine's leader almost four months ago.
The president, in a series of social media posts on June 17, seethed at Macron in calling the French president "publicity seeking." Trump resented that Macron "mistakenly" said he left the G7 summit early to seek a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
"Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire," Trump stated.
He also blasted news reports that the White House has reached out to Iran.
Trump calls Tucker Carlson 'kooky,' says Iran leader 'easy target'
"I have not reached out to Iran for 'Peace Talks' in any way, shape, or form.," he wrote. "This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS!"
He also tore into far-right commentator, a longtime Trump supporter who used to have a Fox News show, asking that "somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"
As for Iran,Trump also posted that leaders Tehran "should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign."
Trump also seemed to threaten Iranian leader Ali Khamenei writing on social media that he is "an easy target" and that "we know exactly where he is hiding."
Trump added: "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least for now."
But the president later posted a demand that Iran unconditionally surrender.
Bibi echoes Zelenskyy comment that set off Trump in Oval Office
In an interview with ABC News, the Israeli leader said the U.S. homeland could be next on Tehran's targets and criticized those on the political far-right though he was appreciative of Trump's support.
"Today, it's Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it's New York," Netanyahu told the network's interviewer, Jonathan Karl. "Look, I understand 'America First'. I don't understand 'America Dead'. That's what these people want. They chant 'Death to America.' So we're doing something that is in the service of mankind, of humanity, and it's a battle of good against evil. America does, should, and does stand with the good. That's what President Trump is doing, And I deeply appreciate his support."
Curiously, a similar statement by Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, deepened a tense and caustic Oval Office confrontation with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in February.
"You have nice ocean and don't feel [the impact of the war] now, but you will feel it in the future," the Ukrainian leader said.
Trump immediately took offense.
"You don't know that," the president said indignantly. "Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel."
He then angrily added: You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel. We're going to feel very good and very strong. You right now are not in a very good position. You've allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having the cards."
Trump has not commented on Netanyahu's claim that Israel is a line of defense for America against potential Iranian aggression.
Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
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