Donald Trump claimed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had informed him a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, was “on its way.” Trump made these remarks shortly before a meeting with Netanyahu in Florida, asserting that a wartime prime minister and hero like Netanyahu should undoubtedly receive a pardon. He further stated that Herzog had confirmed this to him, saying, “You can’t do better than that, right?”

However, the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog promptly denied Trump's claim, stating that there had been no conversation between Herzog and Trump since November when Trump submitted a formal letter requesting clemency for Netanyahu. Herzog’s office clarified that any pardon request must be submitted in accordance with established procedures, and there had been no communication with Trump since receiving his letter. In response to Trump’s earlier request, Herzog's office expressed appreciation for Trump’s support of Israel but reiterated that established procedures must be followed for pardon requests.

Benjamin Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime, facing bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges brought in 2019. He denies these charges, and his supporters argue that his trials are politically motivated. If convicted, the 76-year-old could face imprisonment and a lengthy ban from public office, which analysts believe would end his political career.

Trump has consistently raised the idea of a pardon for Netanyahu through social media and during a speech to Israel’s national assembly in October. In November, he sent a formal letter to Herzog, advocating for clemency and labeling the case as