Giorgia Meloni takes off the gloves: "Italy and I do not beg"

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni gives her first interview about her tense relations with Trump, defending the Pope, and her journey from the far right to the center of power. Meloni approaches a record term length while facing criticism over her political past.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni gives her first interview, describing her tense relations with former US President Donald Trump. The confrontation peaked last April after Trump attacked the Pope, calling him "weak." Meloni defended the Holy See, and Trump responded that she was "unacceptable." At the G7 summit in France, Trump spread a rumor that Meloni "begged" to be photographed with him, and she publicly rebuked him: "Italy and I never beg." Meloni makes clear she will not be a US appendage. The article also covers the phenomenon of "Melonization"—the normalization of a party with post-fascist roots—and Meloni's evasive handling of her political camp's dark past. She refers to the fascist period as "particularly complex." It also describes her difficult childhood, the conquest of left-wing strongholds, and presenting fiscal responsibility while reducing the deficit, alongside criticism of only 0.5% growth and a defeat in a referendum to weaken judges' power.