‘I’m shocked by her’: Trump turns on Italy’s Meloni in clash over pope
US president accuses European ally of lacking ‘courage’ after she denounced his attacks on the pope and refused to join the Iran war effort
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lacks courage and has let Washington down, US President Donald Trump told an Italian newspaper on Tuesday, delivering a blunt public rebuke to one of his closest European allies.
Meloni had been a vociferous supporter of Trump, but she distanced herself from him after he went to war with Iran in February, and on Monday she openly criticised him for lashing out at Pope Leo, saying his verbal assault was “unacceptable”.
Trump responded in an interview with Corriere della Sera, saying Meloni was “very different from what I thought” and denouncing her for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.
“I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage. I was wrong,” he was quoted as saying in the Italian-language article.
02:09
Trump says he is ‘not a big fan of Pope Leo’ in scathing rant
The White House declined to comment on the reported quotes. Meloni’s office also declined to comment, but politicians of all stripes rallied to her defence, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, head of the coalition Forza Italia party.
“We are, and will remain, sincere supporters of Western unity and steadfast allies of the United States, but that unity is built on loyalty, respect and mutual frankness,” he said, applauding Meloni for denouncing Trump’s attack on the pope.