Trump mocks Meloni with post
US President Donald Trump has posted a mocking image of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni just hours before their scheduled meeting at the NATO summit.
Trump Mocks Meloni with Post
US President Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, posting a mocking picture of her on his Truth Social account. The image, which shows Meloni smiling up at Trump, is accompanied by the caption "restraining order needed". This latest jab comes just hours before the two leaders are set to meet at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
The feud between Trump and Meloni began earlier this year, when Trump criticized European NATO allies for not joining the US's war with Iran. Meloni, who was once a vocal supporter of Trump, criticized his attacks on Pope Leo over the Iran war, calling them "unacceptable". Trump responded by saying he was "shocked" by her comments and accused her of lacking courage.
The situation escalated last month, when Trump claimed in an interview with Italian broadcaster La7 that Meloni had "begged" him for a photo during the G7 summit in France. Meloni denied this, saying she was "astonished" by Trump's "completely made-up" statements. She also questioned why Trump seemed harsher towards America's allies than towards its adversaries.
Trump's latest post is just the latest in a series of public jabs between the two leaders. In response to Trump's claims about the photo, Meloni said that defending her country's national interest "is exactly what I've always done". She also said that Trump's comments were "senseless" and that her popularity in Italy was not his business.
Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said that he has "no reaction" to Trump's post and that his fundamental goal is to "maintain relations" with the US. However, opposition politician Carlo Calenda has attacked Trump, calling him a "despicable, cheap bully" and expressing his support for Meloni.
The feud between Trump and Meloni has significant implications for the NATO summit, which is set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meeting will bring together leaders from the 32 allied countries, including Trump and Meloni, to discuss key issues such as security and defense.
The NATO summit is set to take place against a backdrop of widespread protests in Turkey, where the meeting will be held.
