But shortly afterward, Trump struck a different tone during a phone interview with Italy's La7 television channel, claiming that Meloni had been eager to be seen with him:
“She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her. She’s probably happy I spoke to her.”
Meloni later said she was “frankly stunned” by the remarks and that she doesn't know "why the U.S. president behaves this way toward allies."
But then in a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump revived his claim and argued that Meloni is struggling politically in Italy, accusing her of not backing U.S. efforts to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Trump wrote:
"Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France."
"She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!)."
"She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!!
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Meloni later pushed back on the claim in a post on Instagram, arguing that access to Italian facilities is governed by existing agreements that “cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister":
"President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I've always done."
"That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation."
"In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours."
You can see her post below.
Trump was criticized for his remarks while others praised Meloni's response.
@territownsend2019/Instagram
@jakewoodtr/Instagram
It'll take decades to bring diplomacy back to the standard it used to be before President Trump took office.
The film tells the story of struggling lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier. After witnessing her married lover murder a fellow mobster, Deloris is put under the protective care of a struggling San Francisco convent.
Despite locking horns with the convent's stern Mother Superior, unforgettably played by Maggie Smith, Deloris ends up finding an unexpected calling, reshaping their off-key choir and turning around the fortunes of the convent as a result.
One of the most endearing subplots of the film is the journey of shy postulant Sister Mary Robert, played by Wendy Makkena, whom Deloris literally helps find her voice and become one of the standout singers of the choir of nuns.
Following the film's hugely successful release, Out Magazine questioned if the relationship between Sister Mary Robert and Deloris was purely sororal.
It turns out they were on to something, as Makkena recently shared the process behind her iconic character during an appearance on the You Might Know Her From podcast:
Makkena explained that she needed to find a way to justify her otherwise shy and reclusive character's fascination with the outspoken Deloris, with the solution more or less falling into her lap.
“'I thought to myself, ‘How am I gonna then justify how obsessed I sort of am with Deloris?’ "
“It occurred to me that possibly, Sister Mary Robert was drawn to Deloris unconsciously, subconsciously."
"That there was some kind of attraction that not even Sister Mary Robert would have been, given how very innocent she was, aware of."
Anne Rodeman, one of the co-hosts from the You Might Know Her From podcast, was particularly elated by this revelation, pointing out how this dynamic between Deloris and Sister Mary Robert was particularly poignant in a memorable scene in the film when Sister Mary Robert gives Deloris a plastic flower in hopes of cheering her up.
Makkena did not share this brilliant strategy with any of her fellow castmates, none of whom appeared to notice:
"And nobody certainly noticed it on set."
"It was just an internal little secret that I used as an actor."
While this subtext was largely missed by the mainstream press, Makkena was thrilled that Out Magazine picked up on it:
“It wasn’t until the movie came out and the reviews were so lovely, and somebody called me, and they said, ‘Oh my gosh, 'Out Magazine' says that how come nobody has noticed the sexual tension between Deloris and Sister Mary Robert?’”
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, they picked up on it'."
While Makkena made it clear that Sister Mary Robert's sexual orientation was in no way what the film was about, she felt that it fine-tuned what would go on to be a truly iconic performance:
"This wasn't what it was about, but I just thought, just a skosh of that, it adds stakes to the scene, and every actor needs to have a secret."Many viewers of the TikTok seemed to have picked up on this, and were thrilled to discover their theories were right:
@youmightknowherfrom/TikTok
@youmightknowherfrom/TikTok
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@youmightknowherfrom/TikTok
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@youmightknowherfrom/TikTok
Makkena would reprise the role of Sister Mary Robert in the 1993 sequel Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit, which was less critically beloved than its predecessor, but proved a box office success nonetheless, seeing its popularity continue to grow on home video release and television showings.
A third Sister Act film has been in development for some time, with a script reportedly completed for a possible release on Disney+.
However, things were not as happy behind the scenes, particularly his relationship with his father, who would become his manager after Culkin's Hollywood success and who was reportedly both physically and emotionally abusive to the child star, who has since described his father as "the worst person he's ever known", leading to a 30-year estrangement.
Following a public lawsuit to take his parents' name off his trust fund, reportedly worth as much as $20 Million, Culkin took a step away from acting, but seemed to find love with actress Rachel Miner. The two married when they were both just 18 years old.
The marriage ended in divorce two years later, but things finally started to turn around for Culkin, beginning with a resurgence in his acting career, delivering acclaimed performances in films like Party Monster or on television in American Horror Story.
Culkin also found love again with actress Brenda Song, who like Culkin, got her start as a child actor.
Culkin recently paid tribute to Song, with whom he shares two children and has been engaged to since 2022, in a touching Instagram post, celebrating nine years of being together:
Sharing a picture of the two of them dressed in pink, with Culkin sporting a sharp pink suit and Song a light pink slip dress, Culkin paid a sweet tribute to his fiancée of four years and mother of his two sons:
"Today marks a very special day for me."
"It’s been 9 years since my life changed forever."
"It’s amazing to think that 1 in every 5 days I’ve been alive I have had the honor of waking up next to the love of my life."Culkin did share, however, that there was one thing about their nine-year relationship he wished were different:
"My only regret is that we haven’t had more time together."
"Thank you for my everything."
Instagram users were very touched by Culkin's tribute, and couldn't help but share how moved they were:
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culkamania/Instagram
Song similarly shared an anniversary Instagram tribute, sharing her excitement to return home after filming, and likewise expressing her love and gratitude:
"Happy 9 year anniversary @culkamania!"
"As I sit here at this airport, just having wrapped on set and about to fly home to see you and our babies- I can’t help but be a little sentimental and reminisce at how fast 9 years can fly by when I get to enjoy life with you."
"My life burst into color when you walked into it."
"I will never know what I did to deserve you and this life that we lead, but I am forever grateful."
"I truly can’t imagine doing this whole life thing without you."
"It’s not always easy but it’s always worth it."
"I love you more and more each day."
"You’re stuck with me."
Song's sweet post was likewise met with cheers and tributes from the Instagram community:
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brendasong/Getty Images
brendasong/Getty Images
brendasong/Getty Images
brendasong/Getty Images
Life and love certainly come with more than their fair share of challenges—and surprises.
We're happy Culkin and Song found each other and hope they have a beautiful future ahead of them!
Despite holding 13 F1 records—11 related to his age—Antonelli isn't making international headlines for his Grand Prix winning streak—a record-setting five in a row—or any of his other on track accomplishments.
Antonelli is in the news because of a towel.
More specifically, Kimi Antonelli recently made headlines outside the sports world because of who stole his cool down towel from the winners stand at the Monaco Grand Prix, a race he won on June 7 to hit five straight victories and first place in the F1 season's points race.
Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian, who has been linked to British F1 racer Lewis Hamilton, took a stroll through the racing paddock on race day in Monaco, picked up a towel along the way to wipe her face, then walked off with it.
The theft was caught on camera.
In response, Antonelli took to TikTok and Instagram with his Mercedes teammate, British driver George Russell, to inquire about his missing equipment.
In a second video, Antonelli recapped his post race activities, including a jump in the Mediterranean Sea and hitting the town with Monaco's rulers, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
But they were still looking for his towel.
People found the response to Kardashian's sticky fingers hilarious and played along in the comments.
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Kardashian apparently appreciated the humor of the situation as well, and made amends by gifting Antonelli a new towel, embroidered with the message "to Kimi from Kim" and tied with a ribbon.
All is forgiven, it seems.
Maybe Kardashian can expand her Skims shapewear line to include towels.
