'You failed': Israeli paper tied to top Trump backer warns Iran deal sets up next war
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: In yet another striking criticism from Trump’s political orbit over the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran, an Israel-based daily blasted President Donald Trump for allegedly bringing about America’s greatest “humiliation.”
Israel Hayom is Israel’s most widely distributed paper and is owned and published by Trump megadonor Miriam Adelson.
Israeli columnist accused Trump of betraying Israel
The open letter written by Danny Zaken directly to Trump and published in Israel Hayom on Friday, June 19, attacked Trump over the Iran peace agreement, accusing him of “betraying” Israel and declaring he has “failed.”
The letter, which featured a scathing headline, "You could have been the greatest president of all, but you failed," argued that Trump “may be remembered forever as the president who brought about America’s humiliation.”
As Zaken began the letter, he declared that Trump had made “a colossal mistake” and failed in his role by signing a “surrender agreement” with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which he described as a “cruel regime.”
“You severely harmed American interests and the democratic and human values of the enlightened world,” he continued before adding that Trump had turned the hourglass for the next war, which his successors would have to deal with.
Danny Zaken rebukes Trump for calling Netanyahu 'Bibi'
Zaken also rebuked Trump over his use of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s famous nickname. He further alleged that the heated phone call between Trump and Netanyahu two weeks ago was intentionally leaked to the media.
During the phone call with Netanyahu, Trump expressed significant frustration with Netanyahu's actions and claimed that his own past support had been a key factor in the prime minister's political survival.
“I deliberately emphasize the full title. He is not 'Bibi'. He is the elected prime minister of the independent and sovereign State of Israel, as would be anyone else sitting in his chair,” Zaken added.
Zaken went on to say that he doesn’t understand what made President Trump change his direction, adding, “The midterm elections are a flimsy excuse. You are in your second term, and the surrender memorandum of understanding will hurt the Republicans more than it will help them.”
Zaken concluded by saying, “Only if you walk this back and avoid reaching a final agreement with Iran might there be a correction."
Past disputes underscore Trump's rift with paper
It’s not the first time Trump and the paper, which was started by the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson in 2007, have been at odds.
In 2024, then-presidential candidate Trump lumped Israel Hayom with the “fake news” after two reporters wrote that Trump’s message to the country left them both “shocked” as Trump urged Israel to end its war against a radical group.
