Meloni After Trump's Attack: Courage Means Speaking Your Mind
4/22/2026 9:28:54 AM
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has remained composed in the face of sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Speaking on the sidelines of a furniture fair in Milan on Tuesday, Meloni said she had not been “disappointed” by his words, but had expected them.
The dispute stems from Trump’s harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV’s repeated calls for peace. Meloni had described these as “unacceptable.”
Trump subsequently accused her of lacking courage and declared that he was “shocked” by her. She was “no longer the same person.”
At the furniture fair, the prime minister emphasized that she had merely expressed her opinion.
"I believe that courage means speaking your mind even when you disagree, and that friendship means speaking your mind even when you disagree."
"This does not alter my firm support for Western unity, nor does it alter relations between Italy and the United States. That said, I am someone who is used to speaking my mind," Meloni added.
When asked, Meloni also said she had not spoken to the US President “recently.”
Speaking on the sidelines of a furniture fair in Milan on Tuesday, Meloni said she had not been “disappointed” by his words, but had expected them.
The dispute stems from Trump’s harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV’s repeated calls for peace. Meloni had described these as “unacceptable.”
Trump subsequently accused her of lacking courage and declared that he was “shocked” by her. She was “no longer the same person.”
At the furniture fair, the prime minister emphasized that she had merely expressed her opinion.
"I believe that courage means speaking your mind even when you disagree, and that friendship means speaking your mind even when you disagree."
"This does not alter my firm support for Western unity, nor does it alter relations between Italy and the United States. That said, I am someone who is used to speaking my mind," Meloni added.
When asked, Meloni also said she had not spoken to the US President “recently.”