Trump turns on Meloni, says he is 'shocked' by Italian leader

Dhaka, Bangladesh || Sunday, 19 April 2026 || 6 Boishakh 1433

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Fuel prices hiked; diesel hits Tk115, octane Tk140 per litre Trump turns on Meloni, says he is 'shocked' by Italian leader Chief Selector says Bangladesh seek Shakib’s long-term comeback 12 dead as lightning strikes sweep across 6 district Connection shouldn’t decide healthcare, Tarique calls for equal treatment for all Iran shuts down Hormuz again, rejects Trump’s claims Pakistan mediation raises hopes for US-Iran nuclear breakthrough

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ?lacks courage and has

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Trump turns on Meloni, says he is 'shocked' by Italian leader

Published : Saturday, 18 April, 2026 at 11:44 PM, Count : 22

Trump turns on Meloni, says he is 'shocked' by Italian leader

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ?lacks courage and has let Washington down, U.S. President Donald Trump told an Italian newspaper on Tuesday, delivering a ?blunt public rebuke to one of his closest European allies.

Meloni had been a vociferous supporter of Trump, but she distanced herself from him after he went to war with Iran in February, and on Monday she openly criticised him for lashing out at Pope Leo, saying his verbal assault was "unacceptable".

Trump responded in ?an interview with Corriere della Sera, saying Meloni was "very different from what I thought" and denouncing her for refusing to ?help re-open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.

"I'm shocked by her. I ?thought she had courage. I was wrong," he was quoted as saying in the Italian-language article.

The White House declined to comment ?on the reported quotes. Meloni's office also declined to comment, but politicians of all stripes rallied to her defence, including Foreign Minister Antonio ?Tajani, head of the coalition Forza Italia party.

"We are, and will remain, sincere supporters of Western unity and steadfast allies of the United States, but that unity is built on loyalty, respect and mutual frankness," he said, applauding Meloni for denouncing Trump's attack on the pope.

"On Pope Leo XIV, she ?said exactly what all of us Italian citizens think," he added in a statement on X.

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