US President Donald Trump launched a sharp criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, he said he was “shocked at her” and thought she had courage but was wrong.
Meloni condemned as “unacceptable” Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV over calls for an end to the war in the Middle East. Trump described Meloni as unacceptable because she doesn’t mind Iran having a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy if they had the chance, according to English translation.
Trump said he hasn’t spoken with Meloni this month, “not in a long time,” adding that she doesn’t help NATO or get rid of a nuclear-weaponed Iran. He described NATO as a “paper tiger” and criticized Europe for not being willing to fight for the Hormuz Strait.
Meloni’s allies and political opponents quickly offered their support. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Trump considered Meloni courageous but that she is honest, adding that Italy repudiates war. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, condemned Trump’s “serious lack of respect.”