The Unseen Cracks: Trump's Private Fury vs. Public Support for Netanyahu

The political landscape is often a stage for intricate dances between leaders, and few have been as captivating or contradictory as the relationship between former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While public perception often painted a picture of unshakeable alliance, behind closed doors, a tempest of resentment brewed within Trump, frequently erupting into furious private condemnations of Netanyahu.

This fascinating dichotomy reveals a blend of strategic political maneuvering, deeply held personal grievances, and a profound sense of perceived betrayal.

For years, Trump consistently championed Netanyahu on the global stage, executing a series of landmark decisions that delighted the Israeli right and his evangelical base.

The relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem, the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokering the Abraham Accords all signaled an unprecedented level of support. Yet, beneath this veneer of unwavering solidarity, Trump harbored a simmering fury, a feeling that Netanyahu was leveraging their relationship for his own political gain without true reciprocity.

The cracks in this carefully constructed façade became chasms following the 2020 US presidential election.

Netanyahu's swift congratulatory call to then-President-elect Joe Biden, while a standard diplomatic courtesy, was perceived by Trump as the ultimate act of disloyalty. In his eyes, it was a betrayal from someone he believed he had done "more for than any other person in the history of the world." This incident ignited a volcanic rage, with Trump reportedly unleashing a tirade of expletives and scathing criticisms against Netanyahu to his inner circle.

Sources close to Trump describe him railing against Netanyahu, accusing him of being "unloyal" and of taking Trump's support for granted.

"F* him," Trump reportedly declared, convinced that Netanyahu was one of the first to abandon him after his election defeat. This deeply personal reaction underscores Trump's transactional view of relationships, where loyalty was paramount and perceived slights were met with fierce indignation.

His private outbursts painted a picture far removed from the public narrative of two strong leaders bound by shared interests and a special bond.

Despite these intense private frustrations, Trump's public actions consistently provided Netanyahu with a strategic advantage and diplomatic "free rein." This divergence wasn't accidental.

It was a calculated strategy, driven by a desire to appeal to his core supporters, particularly evangelical Christians who view strong US-Israel ties as a biblical imperative. Figures like Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, also played a crucial role, advocating for pro-Israel policies and often serving as a bridge between the two leaders, even when Trump's personal anger flared.

The Trump-Netanyahu dynamic ultimately serves as a compelling case study in modern diplomacy, where personal animosity can coexist with strategic alliance.

It illustrates how political expediency, the influence of domestic constituencies, and the transactional nature of power can often override individual resentments. While Trump may have privately seethed, his administration's policies towards Israel remained steadfastly supportive, a testament to the complex interplay of personal ego, political calculation, and geopolitical strategy that defines leadership on the world stage.

Their story is a reminder that in politics, public smiles can often mask profound private grievances, leaving us to wonder about the true cost of such an intricate dance.