Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a “warrior” and “great hero” in an impassioned social media post, as Netanyahu prepares to stand trial on longstanding corruption charges.
Trump’s remarks come after a renewed show of solidarity between the two leaders amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this month, the pair coordinated closely during Israel’s military confrontation with Iran, a campaign that Trump claimed “erased” the Iranian nuclear threat. “Bibi and I just went through HELL together,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. “We were fighting, literally, for the survival of Israel.”
Netanyahu has called Trump a “tremendous friend,” praising their daily contact during the conflict and hailing the former U.S. president for authorizing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump, in turn, declared the mission a joint victory, saying “we worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before.”
But behind the scenes, Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressures that could threaten his political future. On Monday, he is due to appear in court as a criminal defendant in three corruption cases. He has been charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The allegations range from receiving lavish gifts—including cigars and Champagne—from billionaire associates to making deals for favorable media coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits.
Trump denounced the charges as a “witch hunt,” calling the trial a “TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE” and demanding either cancellation or a pardon for Netanyahu. “Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,” Trump said.
Netanyahu, who denies all charges, is Israel’s first sitting Prime Minister to testify in his own defense. His legal team has already delayed the proceedings multiple times, citing national crises, health concerns, and the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Prime Minister also faces growing discontent on multiple fronts. His government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in June. Public anger is rising over his handling of the Gaza war, the fate of Israeli hostages, and sweeping judicial reforms that critics say undermine democracy. Protests have reignited over a controversial law passed in March that gives the government more power over judicial appointments.
Meanwhile, a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted into the military has deepened tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition. Two ultra-Orthodox parties have threatened to quit if exemptions aren’t restored—potentially collapsing the government.
While Trump’s backing may offer Netanyahu symbolic reinforcement on the international stage, it remains unclear whether it will help the embattled leader weather the domestic storm. As one Israeli political analyst put it: “Trump may be his loudest defender, but only Israeli voters—and the courts—can determine Netanyahu’s fate.”