Trump Calls Himself Netanyahu’s “Boss,” Confirms Upcoming Meeting

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House, which could take place soon after the NATO summit. According to a report by Axios, President Trump said in a brief phone conversation, “Our relationship is very good. Netanyahu knows who the real boss is,” gesturing to himself.
The report noted that the meeting would be the two leaders’ first direct meeting since February, when they met in the White House Situation Room and discussed various proposals related to Iran.
An Israeli official said a meeting next week is possible, though President Trump’s engagements at the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8 could push the meeting back by another week.
A statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office said Netanyahu called Trump to congratulate him on America’s 250th Independence Day, during which he described the US as the guarantor of global freedom and praised the close ties between the two countries. Both leaders agreed to meet soon in the US.
Meanwhile, the Axios report, citing American officials, claimed that some of Trump’s close advisers have grown increasingly skeptical of Netanyahu’s policies since the February meeting. One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some of Trump’s aides believe Netanyahu had miscalculated on several important matters. Neither the White House nor the Israeli government has issued an official comment on the matter.