Trump Accuses Israeli President of Lying About Netanyahu Pardon

US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing verbal attack on Israeli President Isaac Herzog over unfulfilled promises of a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges. Diplomatic relations between the United States and Israel have heated up following Trump’s assault on Herzog. Trump described Herzog as a “weak and pathetic” figure and accused him of lying about granting a pardon to Netanyahu. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Trump stated that Herzog had repeatedly assured him of the pardon. “He told me multiple times, more than once, that he would give him a pardon, and he lied to me,” Trump said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency. Trump argued that the corruption trial is disrupting Israel’s focus on the war situation, calling the legal matter an unnecessary burden. “Bibi needs to focus on the war, not on this nonsense,” he asserted. This is not the first time Trump has made such statements; previously, he has called Herzog a “weak and useless” person and accused him of using pardon powers as a political bargaining tool. However, the accusations have been refuted by senior Israeli officials. They clarified that Herzog never made any promises of a pardon. It was noted that Herzog only informed Trump’s advisors that he would consider the request in accordance with applicable Israeli legal procedures. Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to face several domestic corruption charges. He is accused of receiving various benefits from businessmen and media tycoons in exchange for regulatory policies, legislative actions, and diplomatic support. Amid this situation, Trump also refused to provide details on potential US military actions against Iran, particularly regarding the possibility of targeting or seizing oil and gas infrastructure. He stated that he could not give an answer at this stage. Regional tensions have intensified since the start of joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February. The strikes reportedly killed at least 1,300 people, including the then Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks using drones and missiles targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets.