Trump Pressured Netanyahu With Insults to Secure Gaza Deal

The book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump alleges that Donald Trump engaged in a profanity-laced shouting match with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September 2025. During the UN General Assembly, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that all the Jews were sick of him and warned that backing out of a proposed 20-point peace plan would lead to a divorce between the two leaders. The confrontation followed an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders, which angered U.S. officials and caused Qatar to cease its role as a mediator.

The negotiations were led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Despite the volatility of the exchange, Netanyahu eventually agreed to the framework, and the deal was finalized on October 8, resulting in the release of 20 remaining hostages. While some reports suggest further tensions regarding Israeli escalations against Hezbollah, sources close to Netanyahu have denied that Trump used specific personal insults in more recent calls, attributing the friction instead to conflicting social media posts.

Relations remain strained as Trump expresses frustration over the high death toll in Lebanon, claiming it risks derailing a separate Iran peace plan. Vice President JD Vance has publicly rebuked members of the Israeli cabinet for criticizing the U.S.-brokered deal, warning them not to alienate their only powerful remaining ally.