Trump says US will help Netanyahu fight corruption charges

• Trump told CBS News that Washington will “be involved” in assisting Netanyahu with his ongoing legal battles.
• He called the 'Israeli' leader’s treatment “very unfair” and said the US would “help him out a little bit.”
• Netanyahu faces multiple corruption and war crimes charges, all of which he denies.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration plans to step in and assist 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he faces a series of criminal cases and international charges.

Speaking to CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Trump remarked, “He’s under trial for some things, and I don’t think they treat him very well. I think we’ll be involved in that to help him out a little bit, because I think it’s very unfair.”

The comment marks a rare instance of a US president signaling direct involvement in another country’s domestic legal proceedings, particularly those involving a sitting foreign leader.

Trump also reaffirmed his support for a ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas that was negotiated under his proposed 20-point peace plan. Despite repeated 'Israeli' violations, Trump described the truce as “not fragile” and “very solid.”

When asked whether he would push Netanyahu to recognize a Palestinian state, Trump responded, “Yeah, he’s fine. He’s a wartime Prime Minister. I worked very well with him. I had to push him a little bit one way or the other. I think I did a great job in pushing.”

Netanyahu is currently on trial in three corruption cases, known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000, dating back several years.

• Case 1000 involves allegations that Netanyahu and his wife received luxury gifts, including cigars and champagne, from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors.
• Case 2000 centers on alleged dealings with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes to secure favorable media coverage.
• Case 4000, the most serious, accuses Netanyahu of granting regulatory benefits to businessman Shaul Elovitch, owner of Bezeq and the Walla news site, in return for positive reporting.

Netanyahu, who has pleaded not guilty, insists the charges are part of a “witch hunt.” His trial, which began in May 2020, marks the first time a sitting 'Israeli' Prime Minister has stood trial as a criminal defendant.

In addition to the domestic corruption cases, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over 'Israel’s' actions in Gaza.

The warrants cite the deaths of more than 68,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children, since October 2023.