Patrick Bet-David’s Interview with Benjamin Netanyahu: A Missed Opportunity Amid Controversy

On August 26, 2025, Patrick Bet-David, host of the PBD Podcast and Valuetainment, released a highly anticipated episode featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The 40-minute interview, touted by Bet-David as containing a “world-shocking” statement, sparked significant online discussion, particularly on X, due to its content and tone.

However, the episode has been widely criticized as a softball interview that sidestepped pressing issues, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and served as a platform for Netanyahu to promote his narrative without challenge.

The Interview: A Platform for Netanyahu’s Narrative

The interview, conducted during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., covered topics such as Israel’s geopolitical stance, Netanyahu’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and his broader foreign policy perspectives. Notably, Netanyahu’s acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, prompted by Bet-David’s question about Israel’s historical reluctance to recognize it, was a significant moment. When pressed, Netanyahu responded, “I just did. Here you go,” marking a rare public stance on the issue, likely influenced by strained Israel-Turkey relations.

However, the interview avoided any discussion of the ongoing war in Gaza, which has drawn global scrutiny following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent military campaign. Critics noted that Bet-David failed to ask about allegations of war crimes, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu for crimes against humanity, or the reported starvation crisis in Gaza, where nearly 100,000 women and children face severe malnutrition.

Instead, questions focused on less contentious topics, such as Netanyahu’s views on Iran and his leadership accomplishments, allowing him to frame Israel’s actions as a defense against broader regional threats, including claiming that Israel’s strikes on Iran “liberated” Europe from missile threats.

This lack of pushback led to accusations that the interview was a vehicle for Israeli propaganda. On X, users like @infolibnews criticized Bet-David for allowing Netanyahu to “lie to his audience with impunity for 40 minutes straight with no pushback,” contrasting his approach with the Nelk Boys’ podcast, which faced similar backlash but issued a partial apology.

The absence of questions about Gaza, where over 60,000 Palestinians, including 18,500 children, have reportedly been killed since October 2023, was seen as a glaring omission, especially given the ICC’s allegations of Israel using starvation as a weapon.

Feedback: A Polarized Response

The episode drew polarized reactions online. Some praised Bet-David for securing a high-profile guest and highlighting Netanyahu’s Armenian Genocide acknowledgment, with posts on X celebrating the moment as a historic shift in Israel’s stance. However, the overwhelming sentiment, particularly from critics on both the left and right, was negative.

Many accused Bet-David of prioritizing access over journalistic integrity, echoing backlash faced by the Nelk Boys for their July 2025 Netanyahu interview, which lost them over 100,000 YouTube subscribers in a day due to similar “softball” questioning.

Far-left streamer Hasan Piker and far-right figure Nick Fuentes, both vocal critics of the Nelk Boys’ interview, indirectly shaped the discourse around Bet-David’s episode. Fuentes, a known white supremacist and Holocaust denier, has previously criticized such interviews as PR stunts for Israel, arguing they target young, conservative audiences to bolster support.

While Fuentes himself was not a guest on this episode, Bet-David’s history of platforming controversial figures like him raised eyebrows, with some questioning why he chose Netanyahu over Fuentes, given his willingness to host polarizing voices. Critics suggested that Bet-David’s decision reflected a calculated move to align with powerful interests rather than risk alienating his audience with tougher questions.

A Missed Opportunity or Strategic Alignment?

The interview’s soft approach likely stemmed from implicit or explicit constraints to secure Netanyahu’s appearance. High-profile figures like Netanyahu often demand control over the narrative, and Bet-David, aware of this, may have avoided controversial topics to ensure the interview took place. However, this choice has led to accusations that he compromised his platform’s integrity. As one X user put it, “Unlike the Nelk Boys, who did a mea culpa afterwards, Bet-David is acting” unapologetic, doubling down on the interview’s value despite its lack of critical engagement.

Bet-David’s alignment with Israel, despite his wealth and influence as a media personality and founder of PHP Agency, raises questions about his motivations. With a net worth tied to his multi-level marketing company and Valuetainment’s growing reach, Bet-David occupies a privileged position.

Critics argue that hosting Netanyahu without challenging him reflects a desire to preserve his status within conservative and pro-Israel circles, particularly among his “manosphere” audience, which overlaps with the Nelk Boys’ demographic. This alignment may also stem from a broader strategy to maintain favor with powerful political and media networks, especially given Israel’s influence in U.S. politics, as noted by some X posts claiming foreign leaders rely on Israel to sway U.S. policy.