Washington (Quds News Network)- US President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social, demanding Israel immediately cancel the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant him a full pardon. Trump called the ongoing trial a “travesty of justice” and claimed that the United States, under his leadership, had “saved Israel” and now must save Netanyahu.
“I was shocked to hear that Israel is continuing its ridiculous witch hunt against their great war-time Prime Minister,” Trump wrote. He praised Netanyahu’s leadership during what he described as “one of Israel’s greatest moments in history,” referring to recent Israeli attacks on Iran.
Trump said he and Netanyahu “went through hell together,” fighting a “brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran.” He described Netanyahu as “a warrior like no other in Israel’s history,” claiming the Israeli leader played a key role in destroying a major nuclear threat.
The US president said the case, which has been ongoing since 2020, centers on “cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges,” and urged Israel to “CANCEL” the trial immediately or issue a pardon.
“This travesty of ‘justice’ cannot be allowed!” Trump wrote. “Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be cancelled immediately, or a pardon given to a great hero who has done so much for the state.”
A Familiar Playbook
Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, has long portrayed himself as the victim of a political conspiracy. Since the beginning of his legal troubles, he has borrowed from Trump’s rhetoric, calling the investigations a “witch hunt” and blaming the media and judiciary for targeting him.
A 2017 analysis by the Brookings Institution highlighted Netanyahu’s efforts to mimic Trump’s populist strategy. Researcher Mark Sachs noted that Netanyahu adopted terms like “fake news” and “deep state” to delegitimize law enforcement and the press.
The parallels go beyond language. Both Trump and Netanyahu have used their trials to mobilize supporters, paint themselves as victims of elite conspiracies, and delegitimize institutions of accountability.
A 2025 report by the New York Post quoted a senior Israeli official claiming a “coordinated effort by unelected elites” was targeting conservative leaders like Netanyahu. The official blamed both the Israeli and American political establishments.
During his years in office, Netanyahu lashed out at prosecutors, police, and journalists. He accused them of being agents of the “liberal elite” and rejected the legitimacy of the charges. His social media channels and partisan platforms like Likud TV, as well as attacks on Palestinians, have helped him rally support among Israeli voters.