### Trump Claims Netanyahu Pardon Imminent Amidst Dispute from Israeli President's Office - On December 29, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had informed him that a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "on its way." This statement was made during a press briefing at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, where he praised Netanyahu as a "hero" deserving of clemency amid his ongoing corruption trial. However, Herzog's office quickly refuted Trump's claim, stating that no such discussion had taken place, thereby igniting a controversy over the potential pardon [https://www.asiaone.com/world/trump-says-netanyahu-pardon-its-way-herzogs-office-disputes-it][https://english.aaj.tv/news/330450133/trump-says-netanyahu-pardon-on-its-way-herzogs-office-disputes-it]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Claims and Responses 1. **Trump's Assertion**: Trump claimed Herzog told him a pardon for Netanyahu was imminent, framing it as a matter of justice for a wartime leader [https://www.independent.ie/world-news/donald-trump-says-benjamin-netanyahu-pardon-on-its-way-but-israeli-presidents-office-disputes-it]. 2. **Herzog's Rebuttal**: The Israeli President's office quickly denied Trump's assertion, emphasizing that no such conversation occurred, which raises questions about the credibility of Trump's statement [https://www.newsweek.com/israeli-president-rebuts-trump-claim-on-netanyahu-pardon-11281877]. 3. **Context of the Pardon**: Netanyahu is currently embroiled in a corruption trial, making the topic of a pardon particularly sensitive and controversial within Israeli politics [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2025/12/29/trump-says-hero-netanyahu-deserves-pardon-israeli-president-herzog-responds]. 4. **Public and Political Reactions**: The conflicting statements have sparked discussions in both the U.S. and Israel regarding the implications of a potential pardon and the political motivations behind Trump's comments [https://themedialine.org/headlines/trump-asserts-netanyahu-pardon-is-imminent-herzog-pushes-back]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Figures**: - **Donald Trump**: Former U.S. President advocating for Netanyahu's pardon. - **Isaac Herzog**: Current Israeli President denying Trump's claims. - **Current Status of Netanyahu**: Facing an ongoing corruption trial, which complicates the narrative surrounding a potential pardon. - **Public Sentiment**: Mixed reactions from the public and political analysts regarding the appropriateness and timing of a pardon for Netanyahu, especially given the legal proceedings he is currently undergoing. ### Conclusion: An Ongoing Controversy 1. **Trump's Claims**: Trump asserts that Herzog supports a pardon for Netanyahu, framing it as a necessary act of justice for a leader in crisis [https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-reveals-israeli-president-said-he-will-pardon-netanyahu-he-tells-me-its-on-its-way]. 2. **Herzog's Denial**: The Israeli President's office has firmly rejected Trump's claims, indicating a lack of communication on this sensitive issue [https://naija247news.com/israeli-president-rejects-trumps-claim-over-netanyahu-pardon-request]. 3. **Implications**: The situation highlights the complexities of U.S.-Israeli relations and the political ramifications of pardons in the context of ongoing legal challenges. 4. **Future Developments**: As the situation unfolds, further statements from both Trump and Herzog may clarify their positions and the potential for a pardon, but for now, the controversy remains unresolved.