Belgian Minister Backs Meloni In Trump Row
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has publicly backed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after US President Donald Trump shared a social media post suggesting a “restraining order” was needed against her.
Trump Meloni Row Escalates Before NATO Summit
The controversy began after Trump posted an image of Meloni looking towards him with the caption “restraining order needed.” The post revived an earlier dispute between the two leaders following the G7 summit, where Trump had claimed Meloni had sought a photograph with him.
Meloni had earlier rejected Trump’s claim, saying neither she nor Italy begged anyone. The latest post has again drawn criticism in Italy and across parts of Europe, especially as NATO leaders gather for a key summit.
Belgian Minister Backs Giorgia Meloni
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken defended Meloni, reportedly saying, “She’s the queen, leave her alone.” His remarks were seen as a public show of support for the Italian leader amid growing unease over Trump’s repeated personal attacks on European allies.
Francken also said Europe must maintain strong ties with the United States, noting that European security will continue to depend on American military support for several more years.
Italy Seeks To Avoid Diplomatic Escalation
Italian officials have indicated that Rome does not want to escalate the dispute further. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy would not keep responding to Trump’s provocations, stressing the importance of preserving relations with Washington.
The row comes at a sensitive time for NATO, with members discussing defence spending, military readiness and support for Ukraine. The episode has added a personal diplomatic distraction to an already tense summit agenda.
