Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial in Israel on corruption charges, including fraud and breach of trust over a scandal involving luxury gifts; by December 2025 the trial had run more than five years, The Times of Israel reported. Starting in October 2025, Trump used his public platform and a formal letter to press Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, who holds the power to pardon, to end the case.
In a speech to the Knesset on October 13, 2025, Trump said, “I have an idea, why don't you give Netanyahu a pardon?” and, “Who cares about cigars and champagne?” On November 12 he wrote to Herzog: “I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister,” calling the case a “political, unjustified prosecution.” Herzog's office answered that “anyone seeking a Presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.” Netanyahu filed one at the end of November without admitting guilt. On December 29, with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said he “spoke to the president, and he tells me it's on its way.” Within minutes Herzog's office said, “There has not been a conversation between President Herzog and President Trump since the pardon request was submitted.”
The pressure turned personal in 2026. On February 12, in the Oval Office: “He should be ashamed of himself,” and, “I think the people of Israel should really shame him. He is disgraceful for not giving it.” Herzog's office said he would decide “without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind.” During the Iran war, Trump told The Times of Israel on March 9, “Bibi Netanyahu should be given that pardon immediately,” and ended the call, “Tell this president to give him the pardon right now.” Two days later, to Israel's Channel 12: “He doesn't need any legal opinions,” and, “He is full of crap. He is a weak and pathetic guy.”
On April 26, Herzog set the request aside and called for plea-deal talks, saying it is right “to first, before discussing the pardon request itself, exhaust a process that could lead to the formation of an agreement between the parties.” Trump raised it again unprompted with Axios on April 29: “In the middle of a war? Give me a break.” No pardon had been granted as of the latest reporting reviewed here. See also Trump Says Ending the Iran War Will Be a 'Mutual' Decision With Netanyahu, Ceding U.S. War Authority to a Foreign Leader.