Did Benjamin Netanyahu give Trump permission to let Dan Bongino keep his job?

Netanyahu Denies Involvement in Trump-Bongino Job Controversy

Washington, D.C. – July 14, 2025 – Recent speculation regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alleged influence over President Donald Trump’s decision-making in the ongoing controversy surrounding FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s potential resignation has been firmly debunked. Sources close to both leaders confirm that no such discussion or "permission" was granted by Netanyahu regarding Bongino’s position within the FBI, despite swirling rumors on social media and in certain political circles.The controversy stems from reports earlier this week that Bongino, a Trump-appointed FBI Deputy Director, was considering resignation following a dispute with the Department of Justice over the handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s investigations. According to ABC News, Bongino had expressed frustration to allies about a Justice Department memo stating that no further public disclosures would be made regarding Epstein’s case, prompting speculation about his future in the role. President Trump, when asked about Bongino’s status on Sunday, confirmed he had spoken with him, describing Bongino as a “very good guy” and noting that he “sounded terrific.” However, no mention was made of any foreign involvement in the matter.Rumors linking Netanyahu to the situation appear to have originated from unrelated reports of the Israeli Prime Minister’s recent interactions with Trump. During Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on July 7 and 8, 2025, the two leaders focused primarily on Gaza ceasefire negotiations, U.S.-Israel relations, and the aftermath of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Netanyahu also presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in the 2020 Abraham Accords. These high-profile meetings, widely covered by outlets such as The New York Times and Fox News, sparked unfounded claims on platforms like X that Netanyahu had somehow weighed in on internal U.S. personnel matters, including Bongino’s job status.Analysts suggest that the rumor may have been fueled by a hacked X account belonging to the Sesame Street character Elmo, which posted antisemitic content on July 13, 2025, including a claim that Trump was a “puppet” of Netanyahu. This incident, reported by The Times of Israel, was quickly attributed to a cybersecurity breach and dismissed as inflammatory misinformation, but it may have contributed to the spread of baseless narratives.A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s discussions with President Trump were strictly focused on Middle East policy and bilateral cooperation. Any suggestion that he was involved in decisions about FBI personnel is absurd and completely detached from reality.” The official emphasized that Bongino’s position remains a domestic issue, with no foreign leaders consulted. As of now, Bongino has not publicly confirmed whether he will resign, and the Trump administration has not issued further statements on the matter. The speculation surrounding Netanyahu’s supposed involvement appears to be a case of conflating unrelated events, amplified by social media. Meanwhile, Trump and Netanyahu continue to project a united front, with their recent meetings described as a “partnership of mutual respect” by Fox News, focused on regional stability rather than U.S. domestic politics.For now, the narrative of Netanyahu influencing Bongino’s job status remains an unsubstantiated rumor, with no credible evidence to support it. As the situation develops, attention is likely to return to the substantive issues dominating U.S.-Israel relations, including ongoing ceasefire talks and the broader geopolitical landscape.