In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the American president stated that the Italian Prime Minister did not want her country to be involved in the Middle East war, which began with Israeli-American attacks on Iran. President Donald Trump criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for refusing to involve Italy in the war in Iran. He expressed shock and disappointment at her lack of courage, questioning whether Italians appreciate her stance. Trump previously viewed Meloni as courageous but was surprised by her decision.
Meloni, who heads an ultra-conservative coalition government elected in October 2022, is known for being a close ally of Trump in Europe, often mediating between divergent US and European positions.
Trump accused Meloni of not supporting NATO and not wanting Italy to be part of the Middle East war, despite the country’s significant oil imports from the region. The interview came shortly after Meloni denounced Trump’s criticism of Pope Leon XIV, calling it unacceptable, following the pontiff’s calls to end the Middle East conflict.
Trump criticized NATO as a “paper tiger” and Europe in general for not being willing to fight for the Strait of Hormuz, a key source of energy.
He claimed that Meloni and Italy are no longer the same, pointing out the negative impact of immigration on the country and Europe as a whole. Despite this, Meloni received unanimous support from both allies and the opposition in Italy, reaffirming their commitment to Western unity and alliance with the United States based on mutual respect and loyalty.
Antonio Tajani, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, praised Meloni for her courage and honesty, emphasizing the importance of speaking up. Elly Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party, also defended Meloni, stating that foreign leaders should not insult or threaten Italy or its government.
