Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken Warns Trump To ‘Leave Queen Meloni Alone’
thegatewaypundit.com ^ | Jul. 7, 2026 | Paul Serran

Posted on 07/07/2026 9:45:07 AM PDT by V_TWIN

Francken just had a bad idea and acted on it.

In today’s NATO summit in Turkey, Belgium is one of the lowest-investing countries in the alliance – and now, its Defense Minister has gone on a limb against Donald J. Trump because of his social media spat with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken is aware that Europe needs the U.S. to defend the continent, and he thinks the alliance leaders should be careful not to alienate Trump.

While the Trump-Meloni spat escalated on Sunday with the US President posting a photo of Meloni, joking that he ‘would need a restraining order’ against the Italian leader, all other alliance leaders where wise enough not to get into the fray.

But somehow, the Belgian minister felt it was wise to meddle.

“’I love her, she’s conservative, she is totally on the same line … and then you’re going to have a fight on what? On a picture!’ said Francken.”

It’s odd that this statement comes on the heels of his admission that the EU is ‘not close to being ready to defend itself without continued U.S. help’.

Francken thinks it’ll take Europe ‘five to 10 years’ to build up the capabilities provided by the US.

(Excerpt) Read more at thegatewaypundit.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: defense; eu; giorgiameloni; meloni; nato
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last
To: V_TWIN

Apparently Frankenfein doesn’t think the female leader capable of standing up for herself a d feels the need to react. It gives thd impression Kinda like she is hiding behind his skirt.

Way to go Frankenfein. Way to weaken her image even further!


21 posted on 07/07/2026 10:48:10 AM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

i dont really know what is going on here, but to be completely honest i dont really care. why is this still going?


22 posted on 07/07/2026 11:20:21 AM PDT by wafflehouse ("there was a third possibility that we hadn't even counted upon" -Alice's Restaurant Massacree)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Albion Wilde

Trump stop being crude is like saying The Who stop being loud.


23 posted on 07/07/2026 11:24:18 AM PDT by nwrep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: af_vet_1981

25th?


24 posted on 07/07/2026 11:25:12 AM PDT by nwrep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: gunnut

“Francken thinks it’ll take Europe ‘five to 10 years’ to build up the capabilities provided by the US.”

Considering that the US provides the bulk of the naval & air forces I would say that “5 to 10 years” to replace the capabilities provided by the USA is wildly optimistic, particular when you consider the economic challenges facing by EU countries. While you might be able to finesse limited air capabilities, the alliance can’t build a naval force overnight.


25 posted on 07/07/2026 11:31:30 AM PDT by Tallguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: af_vet_1981

Keep you friends close and your enemies closer?


26 posted on 07/07/2026 11:34:00 AM PDT by Tallguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: odawg

I thought Meloni hated Macron because France uses African children to work in mines. But lately she’s apparently been cozying up to Macron...at least that’s what it looked like. She’s gone back on her promise to half the invading barbarians and refused to help us.

I’m disappointed and disgusted that what appeared to be a glimmer of sanity in Italy was only a mirage.


27 posted on 07/07/2026 12:18:07 PM PDT by Aria (Voted for Trump 2016, 2020 & 10/22/2024 )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Omnivore-Dan

It may well be that by appearing to be in a spat with Trump, it makes it easier politically for her to do what needs to be done without anyone accusing her of being Trump’s puppet.

I notice Trump seems to do this often when politicians need cover to do what he wants them to do, and what is good for their countries but unpopular, such as increase their defense spending.

He uses it in the Middle East, too.


28 posted on 07/07/2026 12:20:11 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: odawg
She would not let the United States use Italian airspace or bases for the war in Iran. Those are facts and figures and not emotion.

My post was indeed saying that those decisions of hers appeared to be fundamentally emotional; it will be up to her (male) advisors to help her see reason.

By the way, I am a woman. And luckily, a conservative.

29 posted on 07/07/2026 12:28:30 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. --DJT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Tallguy
Keep you friends close and your enemies closer?

No, just very odd behavior; I will really worry if more Cabinet members or Susie Wiles resign.

Hopefully Congress restrains his worse behavior as well.

"Turkey had been barred from the F-35 program in 2019 following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile systems. Trump announced his intention to reverse this decision, though the move is expected to face heavy resistance in Congress."
30 posted on 07/07/2026 6:33:50 PM PDT by af_vet_1981 ( The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: 1Old Pro

When a head of state, act like a statesman.


31 posted on 07/08/2026 4:55:21 AM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson