President Trump said early Tuesday morning he was inspired to advocate for a pardon on behalf of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israeli legislators cheered in support of the leader following the successful release of hostages held by Hamas.
“I told [Netanyahu] I didn’t want to bring up the pardon, but it was just a perfect spot. It was good timing, wouldn’t you say?” Trump said to the press aboard Air Force One.
“He was getting a very good hand [round of applause], and when they stopped I said, ‘Why don’t you give this guy a pardon?’ If he didn’t get a good hand, I wouldn’t have done that,” he added about his remarks before the Knesset in Israel.
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Trump, during a Monday speech to the legislature, turned to Israeli president Isaac Herzog and requested Netanyahu be pardoned from bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.
“Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon,” Trump said from the podium, turning to Herzog.
“Cigars and some champagne — who the hell cares?” Trump quipped, poking fun at the details surrounding Netanyahu allegedly accepting bribes in luxury goods in exchange for political favors.
Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has frequently rescheduled hearings for the three cases due to conflicts with his schedule amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The Israeli prime minister is set to appear before the high court on Wednesday to take the stand for cross-examination, according to The Jerusalem Post.
His trial has taken more than five years to proceed since it began in May 2020.
