Trump says Netanyahu 'knows who's boss' as White House meeting looms, claims Iran is 'begging for a deal'

Meeting request

Trump told Axios on Saturday that Netanyahu asked to meet at the White House. The meeting could take place as early as next week, after Trump returns from the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8. "We get along very well. Netanyahu knows who's the boss," Trump said, adding, "We're doing great. You know who's the boss. And he knows who's the boss." An Israeli official suggested the following week is more likely due to scheduling. Netanyahu's office confirmed a Friday phone call where the prime minister congratulated Trump on the 250th US Independence Day and they agreed to meet soon in the United States. This would be the first meeting since February, when Netanyahu presented a plan for a joint US-Israel war against Iran in the Situation Room.

Iran and the Khamenei funeral

Trump said he is watching the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war in a joint US-Israel operation. He claimed that "the Iranians are begging for a deal" and that both sides agreed to pause negotiations for a week until funeral events conclude. During that period, "neither side will strike the other," he added. Trump remarked on the gathering of Iranian officials: "They're all gathered there. With one shot we could take them all out, but we're not going to do it, because then we wouldn't have anyone to negotiate with." He expressed surprise that some Iranians were crying, saying he thought people hated Khamenei, and suggested "maybe they were fake tears."

They're all gathered there. With one shot we could take them all out, but we're not going to do it, because then we wouldn't have anyone to negotiate with.

Behind the scenes

Despite the public bonhomie, Trump's inner circle has grown increasingly skeptical and disappointed with Netanyahu in the months since February. An American official said, "Many of Trump's closest advisers think Bibi got everything wrong." Trump himself lashed out at Netanyahu in a phone call last month over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, calling him "crazy" and accusing him of ingratitude.

Many of Trump's closest advisers think Bibi got everything wrong.

Republican rift

The tensions have deepened a broader rift within the Republican Party over Israel and the war. Influential MAGA figures like Tucker Carlson have accused Trump of being subservient to Netanyahu, adding pressure on the president ahead of the potential meeting.