Why U.S. Presidents Can’t Stop Cursing at Israel’s Bibi Netanyahu

Why does Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seem to bring out the colorful language in American presidents? From Bill Clinton to Donald Trump and Joe Biden, U.S. leaders have peppered their interactions with Netanyahu with profanity, revealing the tense undercurrents of U.S.-Israel relations. The latest flare-up came as Trump, frustrated by ongoing Israel-Iran skirmishes despite a declared ceasefire, vented that the two nations "don’t know what the f--- they’re doing." While the ceasefire holds for now, history shows Netanyahu has a knack for pushing presidential buttons.

Back in the 1990s, Clinton’s frustration boiled over after a joint press conference where Netanyahu’s demeanor irked him. Reportedly, Clinton snapped to aides, asking who was the "f---ing leader of the free world?" His irritation didn’t stop at words—Clinton actively worked to unseat Netanyahu in Israeli elections, succeeding in 1999. Fast-forward to the Obama era, and the tension was palpable. Barack Obama and Netanyahu clashed over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Palestinian issues, with one senior Obama official—possibly the president himself—calling Netanyahu a "chickensh***." Netanyahu, a decorated former Israeli special forces soldier, fired back, defending his resolve to protect Israel.

Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu was warmer, marked by milestones like moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords. Yet even Trump wasn’t immune to irritation, especially when Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his 2020 election win, prompting Trump to declare, "f--- him." Biden, however, set a high bar for profanity. Reports describe him unloading on Netanyahu, calling him a "f---ing liar" and a "bad f---ing guy," even venting about Netanyahu’s team and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in equally harsh terms. One notable outburst came after Israel eliminated Hezbollah’s Fuad Shukur, a terrorist linked to the 1983 deaths of 241 U.S. Marines. Instead of praise, Biden reportedly yelled, "Bibi, what the f---?"

So, what makes Netanyahu a lightning rod for presidential expletives? His defiance, rooted in Israel’s precarious geopolitical reality, often puts him at odds with U.S. leaders. Unlike others who might defer, Netanyahu pushes back, often appealing directly to the American public—a tactic inspired by Zionist leader Zev Jabotinsky. This approach, while effective in rallying support, tends to grate on presidents. Yet, as recent blows to Iran’s nuclear program show, Netanyahu’s persistence can yield results, even if it comes with a side of salty language.