It was only a few years ago that you couldn't find a more iconic duo in global politics. Donald Trump and Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu weren't just allies; they were basically the poster boys for a new kind of Middle East diplomacy. You remember the photos: the grins, the thumbs up, the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. It looked like a match made in political heaven.
Then things got messy.
If you've been following the news lately, you know the relationship has shifted from "best friends forever" to something much more transactional and, frankly, a bit tense. We are now in early 2026, and the honeymoon period of Trump’s second term is already hitting some serious reality checks.
The "F-Word" and the 2020 Fallout
To understand where they are now, you have to remember how badly things broke in late 2020. Trump famously went off on Netanyahu in an interview with journalist Barak Ravid. Why? Because Bibi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on his election victory.
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Trump felt betrayed. He felt he’d given Netanyahu everything—moving the embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights, and tearing up the Iran deal. To Trump, that early phone call to Biden was a "terrible mistake." He literally said "f**k him" regarding the Israeli Prime Minister.
Politics is funny, though.
By the time Trump returned to the White House in 2025, the two were talking again. They had to. With the Middle East on fire, neither could afford a public feud. But the trust? That's a different story. Trump told TIME magazine shortly after his reelection, "I don't trust anybody." That pretty much sums up the vibe heading into 2026.
The Mar-a-Lago Summit and the Gaza Headache
Just a few weeks ago, on December 29, 2025, Netanyahu flew to Mar-a-Lago. On the surface, it was all smiles and "tremendous friend" talk. They stood together in the Florida sun and talked about "Operation Rising Lion"—the joint effort that hit Iranian nuclear sites back in June 2025.
But behind those closed doors, things aren't so rosy. Trump is obsessed with "Phase 2" of his 20-point Gaza peace plan. He wants the war over. He wants a win he can put on a billboard.
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Netanyahu, however, is stuck. He’s leading a coalition in the Knesset that is basically held together by duct tape and prayers. If he stops the military operations in Gaza before Hamas is totally "liquidated," his far-right partners will walk, his government will collapse, and he could find himself spending a lot more time in a courtroom for his ongoing corruption trial.
What they actually disagree on:
- The Turkey Factor: Trump wants Turkey to help manage Gaza. Netanyahu? He hates the idea. He’s trying to keep President Erdoğan off the "Board of Peace."
- Syria's New Look: Trump is cozying up to the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took over after Assad fell in late 2024. Netanyahu is skeptical, to say the least.
- The "Hell to Pay" Deadline: Trump has told Hamas they have a very short window to disarm or there will be "hell to pay." But he's also pressuring Israel to let the reconstruction of Gaza start in places like Rafah.
Why the Abraham Accords are Stalled
Everyone thought Trump’s return would mean Saudi Arabia would sign a peace deal with Israel within a week. It hasn't happened.
The reality is that the Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar—are looking at the carnage in Gaza and telling Trump they can't move forward while the civilian death toll keeps climbing. Trump’s "America First" instinct is to pivot away from the Middle East toward China and the Western Hemisphere. He’s tired of the "endless wars."
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But you can’t pivot when you’re the chairman of a "Board of Peace."
Netanyahu needs Trump’s protection, especially from the International Criminal Court and the UN. But Trump doesn't like being used. He’s been privately venting that Netanyahu is "derailing" his peace legacy. It’s a classic case of two men who both want to be the "alpha" in the room.
The Trial and the "Travesty of Justice"
The weirdest twist in this 2026 dynamic is how their legal troubles have bonded them. Netanyahu is currently facing cross-examination in his corruption trial. Trump, who has had his own share of time in court, has been posting on Truth Social calling the trial a "witch hunt" and a "travesty of justice."
Trump actually suggested that Netanyahu’s trial should be "cancelled immediately" or that he should be given a pardon. It’s a level of personal intervention in another country's legal system that we’ve rarely seen. Honestly, it feels like Trump sees his own reflection in Bibi’s legal battles.
What’s Next? Actionable Realities for 2026
If you’re trying to figure out where this goes, don’t look at the press releases. Look at the deadlines.
- Watch the "Disarmament" Clock: Trump has given a loose two-month deadline (landing somewhere in March 2026) for Hamas to cough up their weapons. If they don't, expect Trump to give Netanyahu a "green light" for a massive, final military push that could make the previous year look like a warm-up.
- The Syria-Israel Border: Keep an eye on the Golan Heights. If Trump pushes Netanyahu to make a deal with the new Syrian government, it could be the breaking point for the Israeli right-wing.
- The Midterms and the Knesset: Both men are fighting for survival. Trump needs to keep his momentum heading into the U.S. midterms in November 2026. Netanyahu is just trying to make it to the next weekend without his government imploding.
The Bottom Line: The "bromance" is now a business arrangement. Trump provides the hardware and the diplomatic cover; Netanyahu provides the "warrior" image that Trump admires. But as soon as Netanyahu becomes a liability to Trump's "Peacemaker" brand, expect the temperature in the room to drop fast.
Actionable Insights for Following This Story:
- Monitor the Rafah Crossing: This is the litmus test for their cooperation. If it stays closed despite Trump’s "Phase 2" plan, the rift is widening.
- Track U.S. Military Aid: Trump unblocked the 2,000-pound bombs Biden held back, but he’s also complained about the cost. Watch if he starts using aid as a "stick" rather than a "carrot."
- Ignore the "Friendship" Tweets: Focus on the specific names Trump mentions—if he starts praising Israeli opposition leaders like Benny Gantz, it means he's looking for a way to replace Bibi.