Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has spoken out in defense of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following controversial comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump. “Whoever insults Giorgia insults us all,” Salvini declared, as the fallout from Trump’s remarks continues to fuel a deepening diplomatic rift between Rome and Washington.
Read also: Trump vs. Meloni: “She was begging me for a photo, I felt sorry for her” — “Neither I nor Italy beg anyone”
Salvini’s reaction to Trump
“Whoever insults Giorgia insults us all,” Salvini stated emphatically. “With so many active war fronts around the world — and we hope not for much longer — it is unacceptable to have verbal clashes with allies and friends who have always proven themselves reliable. Italy and its government do not beg anyone,” the League party stressed in an official statement.
Crosetto’s remarks
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also weighed in: “I cannot imagine Giorgia Meloni begging anyone for a photo — not even under threat. What I can imagine, however, is how much it cost her to set aside what Trump said just days ago, in order to serve the interests of Italy, Europe, and the West. And I can imagine how much it will cost her not to respond — as she should — to this latest slip by the American president.
The word ‘slip,’ of course, is itself a generous and undeserved concession. What is truly painful is that statements of this kind help no one: not Italy, not the United States, and not the alliance.”
How it all unfolded
During an informal exchange with European leaders, Trump reportedly teased the Italian Prime Minister publicly, repeatedly saying “you abandoned me.” Meloni responded with a smile, saying “we were always friends,” attempting to keep the situation from escalating. However, tensions rose sharply when Trump, speaking to Italian broadcaster La7, claimed that Meloni had “begged him” for a photo during the summit. “She really wanted a photo with me. I didn’t have to take it, but I felt sorry for her,” Trump said — remarks that triggered an immediate political and diplomatic backlash in Italy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded swiftly in a video posted on X, saying she was “stunned” by the U.S. President’s comments, which she described as “completely fabricated.” She also accused Trump of showing far greater respect toward the enemies of the West than toward its longstanding traditional allies.
