Trump demands an end to Israeli PM Netanyahu's 'witch hunt' corruption trial, says ‘the US saved Israel, and now is going to save Bibi'
US President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, calling it a politically motivated 'witch hunt' unworthy of a wartime leader.
'Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),' Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. 'It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu.'
The Israeli prime minister, Trump said, had been 'summoned to Court on Monday for the continuation of this long-running, politically motivated case, concerning cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges.'
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Praise for Netanyahu's wartime leadership
Trump's comments came shortly after a US-backed ceasefire took effect following 12 days of deadly conflict between Israel and Iran. The president did not hold back his praise.
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'Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran,' he said. 'Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land.'
He added, 'Bibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel, and the result was something that nobody thought was possible, a complete elimination of potentially one of the biggest and most powerful Nuclear Weapons anywhere in the World.'
Despite the ceasefire, Trump had criticised Israel the previous day for launching fresh strikes on Iran almost immediately after the truce was announced. 'Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I've never seen before,' he said. 'I'm not happy with Israel.'
Still, by Wednesday, Trump had returned to defending Netanyahu, saying, 'Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me.'
Netanyahu is currently standing trial in three criminal cases—Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000—each involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He was indicted in 2019, and the trial formally began in May 2020. The charges range from receiving luxury gifts—cigars, champagne, and jewellery worth over $260,000—from wealthy associates, to allegedly trying to secure favourable media coverage by offering regulatory favours.
He has consistently denied all accusations, calling them 'fake' and insisting he has done nothing wrong.
Cross-examination in the ongoing trial resumed on 3 June in a Tel Aviv court and is expected to last up to a year. According to reports by Anadolu Agency, this is the first time in Israeli history that a sitting prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant.
Trump's defence echoes his own legal battles
Trump, who is himself facing a wave of legal challenges and criminal indictments in the United States, drew parallels between Netanyahu's case and his own. 'BREAKING NEWS... I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel... is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great wartime Prime Minister!' he wrote, again using his familiar language to discredit the prosecution.
He added, 'This is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has ever been on trial… He has been going through this 'Horror Show' since May of 2020—Unheard of!'
Pardon not likely, says Israeli President
Despite Trump's call for a pardon, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has clarified through media statements that no such request has been received and that a pardon is 'not currently on the table.'
Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted and the conviction is upheld by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, international legal scrutiny continues. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity for alleged actions in Gaza, including targeting civilians and using starvation as a tactic.
The renewed public backing from Trump adds another layer to an already complex situation. Netanyahu's political standing is increasingly tied to his image as a wartime leader, especially after Israel's aggressive campaign against Iran's nuclear and military sites. The United States had reportedly joined that effort, striking two Iranian facilities with bunker-busting bombs and launching guided missiles from a submarine.
Trump's comment—'It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu'—underscores just how tightly he has tethered Netanyahu's fate to Washington's influence.
But whether words from Washington will influence legal proceedings in Tel Aviv remains to be seen.
For now, the Israeli judiciary appears to be moving forward—with or without America's blessing.
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