Trump says he's 'shocked' Meloni 'doesn't want to help us in the war'

US President Donald Trump said he was "shocked" at how Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "doesn't want to help us in the war," according to remarks to Italian media. His remarks in Tuesday's Corriere della Sera came after Meloni dismissed the idea of a society where religious leaders follow political leaders' orders, following Trump's pointed criticism of Pope Leo.

Criticism of Meloni

Trump said that he has not spoken to Meloni for "a long time." "Because she doesn't want to help us with NATO, she doesn't want to help us get rid of nuclear weapons. It's very different from what I thought," he said, referring to Iran's alleged program to develop nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies. "It is no longer the same person, and Italy will not be the same country."

Oil and nuclear remarks

Trump also questioned Italy's domestic and energy policies, asking, "Do you like the fact that your president is not doing anything to get the (Iranian) oil?" following his repeated remarks that he could "take" Iran's oil. "I can't imagine it. I'm shocked by her. I thought she had courage, I was wrong," said Trump. "She is the one who is unacceptable, because she does not care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if she had the chance," he said.

Italian opposition response

In Italy, opposition figures have condemned Trump's remarks on the pope. Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party, said there was "firm condemnation for the attack by President Donald Trump on President Meloni for having dutifully expressed solidarity with Pope Leo." She added: "We are adversaries in this chamber but all Italian citizens and we will not accept attacks or threats against the government and our country."