Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, calling his recent statements about her 'absolute fiction' and expressing shock at his treatment of allies. She stressed that Italy and she 'never beg' — the strongest response from a European leader to Trump's critical comments amid growing transatlantic tensions.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni launched an unusually personal and defiant response to US President Donald Trump on Friday, rejecting his reported criticisms as 'absolute fiction' and accusing him of treating allies worse than adversaries.
Meloni's statement, reported by the Abu Ali Express channel, included a direct challenge: 'There are things that demand an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are complete fiction. Honestly, I am appalled. I don't know why the US president behaves this way toward his allies.' She added that Trump shows more leniency and consideration toward America's enemies than toward its allies.
'But he should remember one thing: Italy and I never beg,' Meloni concluded — the strongest tone yet from a European leader in the escalating rhetorical confrontation between Washington and Rome.
This marks a new peak in the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and key European partners, including Italy, over security policy, the conflict with Iran, and Trump's public criticisms of allied leaders. The exchange follows weeks of reported frustration from both sides, as documented in previous Zioneer reporting on White House sources describing Trump's anger over perceptions of insufficient military action against Iran.
2 developments
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- DevelopingItalian PM Meloni condemns Ben Gvir's recent statements as 'unacceptable'
- DevelopingItalian PM Meloni calls on Israel to act as a 'positive player' in peace process, warns internal debate could endanger US-led path
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Source and signal
- Internal intake