Trump Turns Against Former Ally Meloni, Saying She 'Betrayed America'
On Tuesday, U.S. President Trump publicly and bluntly criticized Italian Prime Minister Meloni in an interview with an Italian newspaper, saying she lacked courage and had let down Washington.
Meloni had previously been a staunch supporter of Trump, but after Trump's war declaration against Iran in February, she distanced herself from him. On Monday, she openly condemned Trump’s remarks attacking the Pope, calling such verbal attacks "unacceptable."
In response to the interview, Trump said, "She is very different from what I originally thought," and accused her of refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran. "I am shocked by her. I thought she was courageous. I was wrong," the report quoted Trump as saying.
Trump’s criticism marks a sharp shift in his attitude toward Meloni. She was the only European leader to attend his 2025 inauguration—just a month ago, Trump had praised her as "a great leader."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862530330325004/
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