Maremia
Starmer refusing to go into Trump's illegal war was also being a strong PM.
Absolutely.
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Mr Trump can't help himself, can he?
His latest clumsy, un-diplomatic act is to claim the Italian Prime Minister "begged" to be photographed with him at the recent G7 junket, and he "felt sorry for her".
She didn't waste any time blasting back at him with "neither I nor Italy beg!" in an absolute tirade of anger.
Please take note Sir Keir - that's being a strong PM.
Maremia
Starmer refusing to go into Trump's illegal war was also being a strong PM.
Absolutely.
Smileless2012
No more embarrassing for her than us surely as we allowed America to use our air bases.
Goodness, no. I was very embarrassed/upset/annoyed by the PM allowing the use of our bases. But at least he didn't swear blind that we weren't helping Trump.
A look at his current approval ratings.
www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker
Things aren't going well for him. 
Thanks imaround It's good to keep up with Trump's downward spiral.
It is about to get worse because he is refusing to sign the bipartisan legislation just passed by both the House and the Senate, which will help lower the cost of housing, until the pass the Save Act, which will disenfranchise millions.
When I get a moment, I'll have to tell you the story of how he is very close to getting away with disenfranchising the entire state of Colorado by disallowing ballots being delivered by mail.
Every voter in the state gets their ballot in the mail. They then have time to vote and can pay to mail it back or drop it off at ballot boxes at libraries or other public spaces.
That is almost 4 million people voters.
I believe Washington and Oregon all have liberal mail in ballot policies as well.
The Post Master General has stated that they will refuse to deliver ballots in states who do not turn over voter rolls to the federal government.
The Supreme Court just ruled in the last few weeks that the Post Office does not have a duty to deliver mail.
I think a judge ruled against his list yesterday or today, so it hasn't happened yet. But this will go to the Supreme Court quickly and they will most likely rule for him because they are a kangaroo court.
There it is. Thank goodness we have ethical judges who follow the Constitution here.
www.votebeat.org/national/2026/06/25/trump-election-overhaul-mail-voting-executive-order-blocked-talwani-usps-dhs/
They will appeal to the Supreme Court.
Can only hope that he runs out of time to interfere with legal voting.
Good grief, imaround, the decisions make less and less sense!
How can it be that the Post Office does not have a duty to deliver mail?
If not, then what is the function of this organisation?
Well, that was it's duty and function since 1775. I have no idea what it's function is now, other than to disenfranchise millions.
This is just a benefit of what he has been doing to the USPS for years. The ultimate goal is to privatize, IMO. His billionaire friends will make more money and we will be left wondering where our mail is.
Just happened. But this is the ruling we have all been waiting on with baited breath.
SC just ruled against him for Birthright Citizenship.
He now can not remove people born here, despite their parents immigration status. As it should be. Worst part of this would have been DACA recipients being removed. .
Wish I could be a fly on the wall right now. 
Good news imaround.
Someone is going to be cross.
We have a character in a children's book here called Violet Elizabeth, who, when she is thwarted, says that she will
" Squeam and squeam until I am sick "..
I envisage something like this.
That is a very apt description Chocolate, as that is likely exactly what he is doing.
Trump seems to be out to prove that he is a narcissist, displaying every trait of that mental condition. He is delusional, lying, manipulative, and never, ever wrong. It is regarded as an untreatable condition it seems as it would be impossible to convince anyone suffering that they need help, treatment, or heaven forbid, could be in error about anything at all. How this creature ever became President of the United States is baffling. How he has managed it twice, with his record of sexual misconduct, financial irregularities and blatant threatening behaviour towards anyone challenging him says a great deal about the state of that country. It is not ahappy prospect for us all.
It is finally Primary day in my state today, I'll be back with results later, they don't start releasing them until all the polling stations close at 8.
From what I have seen so far is the establishment/incumbent Dems in are trouble. The Democratic Socialists are winning all around the country and polls here put that candidate with lead over the 30 year incumbent.
Guess they should have done anything to stop what is happening in this country the last 10 years that led to this. 🤷🏼♀️
Giorgia Meloni supped - she should have had a longer spoon.
We had 2 establishment Dems win on name recognition. All other races were won by the more progressive candidates.
One of our Senators gets to retire after 30 years in her seat. 
It looks like we may get one shot to pick fascism or socialism. I pray we don't mess this up again. 
🙏
It's a very public fall out- that's now proving hard to fix.
Meloni has since said "I do not intend to fan the flames of his confrontation.....Our bilateral work with the US bus return to normalcy".
Meloni will face elections later this year and her ratings are falling- the US is powerful - much as though Trump is despised by so many.
LemonJam
It's a very public fall out- that's now proving hard to fix.
Meloni has since said "I do not intend to fan the flames of his confrontation.....Our bilateral work with the US bus return to normalcy".
Meloni will face elections later this year and her ratings are falling- the US is powerful - much as though Trump is despised by so many.
Meloni will face elections later this year and her ratings are falling- the US is powerful - much as though Trump is despised by so many.
Yes, good observation.
If you cosy up to the devil...
Starmer and Trump 2 were bang opposite ends of the political spectrum so had no common ground- add to that Trump is a narcissist.
This is one tight rope relationship I feel Starmer played well- distance when possible, soft diplomacy rewards when the opportunity arose and he stood up to him regarding use of UK bases. No twitter/video spats.
It has been said that Trump is not liked in Italy. If so, standing up to him, will help her ratings.
It's true Trump is not liked in Italy, not liked in many many countries outside the US. The Italian Foreign minister initially cancelled his business trip to Washington after Meloni did her "Neither I or Italy ever beg" retort to Trump.
But now he and the broader Italian administration is trying to mend its relationship following the spat and normalise co operation, as Italy wants to buy US liquefied natural gas. The Foreign minister is now saying Italy's alliance with the US is "indispensable".
Also since Meloni's comments a. separate row has opened up over military bases. It has since learned that 500 US aircraft had taken off from uS basses in Italy is support of Epic Fury which Italy had not sanctioned. Rome did not take that well and another row has blown up alongside but Rome's diplomatic circle are now worried and don't want a relationship full rupture/breakdown with the US. Meloni is on a tight rope and digging her heels in over photo request may not serve Italian diplomacy and government needs overall well.
All eyes on Meloni then in her election year. The real test will come at Nato summit in Ankara next month.
Power and money, as always holds sway......
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