Fact Check: Trump Demands Immediate Cancellation of Netanyahu's Corruption Trial
What We Know
On June 25, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called for the immediate cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial or for him to be granted a pardon. This statement was made via a post on Trump's Truth Social account, where he described the ongoing legal proceedings against Netanyahu as a "witch hunt" and expressed shock that the trial was continuing despite recent military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel regarding Iran (Axios, Al Jazeera).
Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020, facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial has been prolonged, partly due to various legal tactics employed by Netanyahu's defense team. Trump emphasized that he believed Netanyahu had done significant work for Israel and that the U.S. had played a crucial role in supporting Israel during recent conflicts (Reuters, The Hill).
Analysis
Trump's comments represent an unprecedented intervention by a former U.S. president in the legal affairs of a democratic ally. His call for cancellation or pardon reflects a personal and political alliance with Netanyahu, whom he referred to as a "great hero" (The Guardian). The reliability of the sources reporting on this event is high, as they include established news organizations like Axios, Reuters, and Al Jazeera, all of which have a history of accurate reporting on international affairs.
However, it is important to note that Trump's statements are subjective and politically motivated. His characterization of the trial as a "witch hunt" aligns with his historical rhetoric against legal challenges he has faced, suggesting a potential bias in his perspective (Axios, Al Jazeera). Moreover, the implications of a U.S. president calling for the cancellation of a legal trial in another country raise questions about the separation of powers and the influence of foreign leaders on domestic legal processes.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump demanded the immediate cancellation of Netanyahu's corruption trial is True. Trump's statements were clearly articulated in his social media post and reported by multiple credible news sources. His intervention marks a significant moment in U.S.-Israel relations, highlighting the complexities of political alliances and legal proceedings in democratic nations.
Sources
- Trump says Israeli PM Netanyahu's trial should be canceled
- Trump calls to cancel Netanyahu's corruption trial in unusual ... - Axios
- 'Witch-hunt': Trump calls for cancellation of Netanyahu's corruption trial
- Trump calls for Netanyahu to be pardoned, corruption trial canceled
- Trump calls for Netanyahu corruption trial to be cancelled
