Trump says he'll "be involved" in Netanyahu's corruption trial "to help him out"
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Trump with Netanyahu during his visit to Israel in October. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
President Trump told CBS' "60 Minutes" that he'll "be involved" in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial "to help him out a little bit."
Why it matters: Trump has repeatedly intervened into Israel's judicial system and domestic politics over Netanyahu's ongoing trial.
What he is saying: Trump told interviewer Norah O'Donnell that Netanyahu is a "very talented guy" and the kind of leader Israel needed in wartime.
- "I don't think they treat him very well. He's under trial for some things, and I don't think they treat him very well," he said, adding: "We'll be involved in that to help him out a little bit, because I think it's very unfair."
- The interview was taped Friday and aired Sunday.
Flashback: During his address to the Israeli parliament last month, Trump went off script and urged President Issac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, who is standing trial on three corruption charges.
- "Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about this?" Trump said, referring to alleged illicit gifts mentioned in one of the charges.
- Trump later told reporters that Netanyahu was the one who asked him to bring it up in the speech.
- Trump also called for the cancellation of Netanyahu's trial in string of posts on Truth Social in June.
The big picture: Netanyahu is standing trial for charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.
- He's accused of accepting more than $200,000 in gifts from wealthy businessmen, and of granting regulatory benefits worth hundreds of millions of dollars to a telecom tycoon in exchange for favorable news coverage.
- The trial has stretched on for four years, in part due to Netanyahu's repeated legal delay tactics. The former head of Israel's domestic security agency has accused the prime minister of trying to use his executive powers to stall the case.
Driving the news: In the interview, Trump acknowledged he "had to push [Netanyahu] a little bit one way or the other" to get the Gaza peace deal.
- "I didn't like certain things that he did, and you saw what I did about that," Trump added.
- Trump claimed the ceasefire in Gaza was "solid" and not fragile, though it has faced serious challenges.
What to watch: On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the body of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra was returned by Hamas to Israel, along with the remains of two other Israeli hostages.
- Trump spoke to Neutra's parents on Sunday, shortly after they received the confirmation from the Israeli military.
- The body of U.S.-Israeli hostage Itay Chen is still held by Hamas. He is the last American hostage in Gaza.
