President Donald Trump fumed Wednesday afternoon in a lengthy social media screed blasting the ongoing criminal trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu.
A shocked Trump denounced Netanyahu's ongoing legal proceedings, which he characterized as a "witch hunt" and "politically motivated" case, echoing familiar refrains he used to describe his own cases before winning the election last year.
"I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel, which has just had one of its Greatest Moments in History, and is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister! Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump called the Israeli prime minister a "warrior like perhaps no other ... in the History of Israel," referring to Israel's recent strikes and successful assassinations on Iran. Trump railed that he learned Netanyahu was summoned to court on Monday in a long-running case, which the president characterized as a "Horror Show." Netanyahu has been accused of accepting gifts and favors from wealthy businessmen and offering regulatory benefits in exchange for positive media coverage.
Trump slammed the case as "politically motivated," noting it concerns "cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges." The "Bugs Bunny" reference relates to a 1996 incident in which Netanyahu's wife allegedly asked a Hollywood mogul to bring a large stuffed toy as a gift for their son during a meeting in New York City. Prosecutors say the story undercuts Netanyahu's insistence that his first meeting with the mogul was merely a coincidence.
"Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me," Trump complained. "He deserves much better than this, and so does the State of Israel."
Trump demanded that Netanyahu’s trial be immediately canceled, or that a "Pardon [be] given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State."
"Perhaps there is no one that I know who could have worked in better harmony with the President of the United States, ME, than Bibi Netanyahu. It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu. THIS TRAVESTY OF “JUSTICE” CAN NOT BE ALLOWED!" he bemoaned.
Netanyahu has been on trial for corruption for five years.