President Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House, potentially scheduled for next week following Trump's return from the NATO summit in Turkey. Trump remarked that the two leaders get along well and asserted that Netanyahu 'knows who the boss is,' according to a report by Axios on Saturday. The meeting would signify their first interaction since a Situation Room session in February focused on striking Iran.

An Israeli official indicated that the visit might be postponed by a week due to Trump's travel schedule. The potential delay comes amid reports of growing tensions between the two leaders in recent months. Sources suggest Trump has privately criticized Netanyahu regarding Israel's operations in Lebanon, deepening a rift within the GOP over Israel policy as Netanyahu faces trailing polls ahead of October elections.

Diplomatic Tensions and Policy Rifts

Reports indicate that during a heated call in June, Trump told Netanyahu that he would face prison without U.S. backing and warned that global opinion had shifted sharply against him. In response, Netanyahu has stated that it is time for Israel to end its military dependence on the United States, while cautioning that the conflict with Iran is 'not over yet.'

The leaders have reportedly held diverging stands on handling the Iran situation. Prior to committing to a ceasefire in the Middle East, Israel escalated tensions by raiding Lebanon, even as Trump pushed for restraint to protect the broader peace process.

Status of Nuclear Talks

Trump announced that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are paused for a week following the funeral of assassinated former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He noted that both sides are holding fire during this interim and claimed that Tehran is 'begging to make a deal.'

Pope Leo XIV called for national unity, peace, and respect for human dignity on Friday at a high-profile America’s 250th anniversary event, months after a public clash with President Donald Trump over war and diplomacy. The American-born pope accepted the National Constitution Center’s 2026 Liberty Medal via livestream, marking the milestone anniversary. He urged a “solemn recommitment” to ideals that made America “a country that values peace and prosperity.”

Leo said he joined attendees “in asking God’s blessings upon America’s future, that the lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice, and peace.” He added that realizing those ideals “was not always easy and in many respects is still a work in progress.”

Liberty Medal Speech

The Liberty Medal is awarded annually to individuals who “strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the globe,” according to the National Constitution Center. The center recognized Pope Leo XIV for his efforts to promote these values globally.

Pope and Trump Friction

The appearance follows friction between Leo and Trump over the U.S. military operation against Iran earlier this year, after which Trump called the pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” In April, Leo told reporters the dispute had been overstated, saying debating Trump “is not my interest at all.”