Fact Check: Is Donald Trump planning regime change in Israel following Iran deal?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, causing tensions with Benjamin Netanyahu, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that President Donald Trump is planning a regime change in Israel, sparking concerns and speculations. Let us analyse and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Donald Trump planning a regime change in Israel
According to the viral claim circulating on X, Facebook, and Instagram, Trump is planning a “regime change” in Israel.
Citing an article by an Israeli newspaper, the viral post claimed that the Trump administration is quietly making moves that could push Benjamin Netanyahu aside.
The claim has sparked mixed reactions from social media users, with many appearing to support the alleged move, while a few others criticised US involvement in Venezuela and Trump's push against Cuba.
Meanwhile, a few others remained skeptical, questioning the claim’s authenticity and calling for a fact check.
Fact Check: The claim is rated as unconfirmed
A report by an Israeli outlet called ‘Channel 12’ stated that the Trump administration is working to establish informal channels of communication with Israel’s opposition, including the leading contenders to replace Netanyahu in the upcoming election, former prime minister Naftali Bennett and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot.
However, the report did not cite any credible evidence to support the claim about regime change.
Moreover, the US government merely establishing informal communication channels with Israeli opposition figures or politicians who might one day form a government would generally be considered diplomatic outreach rather than regime change. Hence, the claim is rated as unconfirmed.
Donald Trump says he must keep Benjamin Netanyahu sane
The claim surfaced after Trump said he has to keep Netanyahu “a little bit sane” as he publicly asserted he can control Israel’s actions despite growing strains over his Iran peace effort.
The remark underscored increasingly visible tensions between the longtime allies, which came as Trump defended a fragile Iran agreement that some supporters of the conflict have criticized as too lenient.
“If it weren’t for Donald Trump — and Bibi Netanyahu worked well with me, but he will tell you, we’re the ones with the guns, we’re the ones with the whole deal, we’re the ones with the B-2 bombers, etc.,” Trump said.
“If it weren’t for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated,” he insisted.
