Trump says Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’ as White House meeting looms: Report

US President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” while revealing that the Israeli leader has requested a White House meeting that could take place in the coming weeks, according to Axios.

In a brief phone interview with the US news outlet, Trump projected confidence about his relationship with Netanyahu, saying, “We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is,” referring to himself.

If it takes place, the meeting would be the first in-person talks between the two leaders since their February meeting in the White House Situation Room. According to Axios, Netanyahu had presented a proposal for joint military action against Iran during that meeting, which later evolved into a broader conflict.

While both sides are working on the visit, no date has been finalised. An Israeli official told Axios that next week is unlikely because of Trump’s planned trip to Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7-8.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the two leaders spoke by phone on Friday, during which the Israeli prime minister congratulated Trump on the United States’ 250th Independence Day.

“During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that Israel greatly values the close relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Growing friction behind the scenes

Despite their public display of warmth, Axios reported that divisions have emerged between Netanyahu and several of Trump’s closest advisers since the February meeting.

A US official familiar with the matter told the outlet, “Many of Trump’s closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything.”

According to the report, Trump himself sharply criticised Netanyahu during a phone call last month after Israel escalated military operations in Lebanon. Axios reported that Trump called the Israeli leader “crazy” and accused him of being ungrateful.

The report said differences between the two leaders have widened over recent months, particularly on Iran, regional security policy and domestic political considerations.

Differences over Iran and Lebanon

Axios reported that Trump has increasingly pursued policies that do not fully align with Netanyahu’s preferences.

Last month, Trump signed a memorandum extending the ceasefire with Iran while launching a fresh round of nuclear negotiations, despite Israeli reservations.

The report also said Trump urged Netanyahu to scale back Israeli military operations in Lebanon and support a framework agreement beginning with an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

A White House meeting would also carry domestic political significance for Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October elections, with opinion polls reportedly showing him trailing several rivals, according to Axios.