Berlusconi calls Obama 'tanned'
(UKPA) – 17 hours ago
Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi has called US President Barack Obama "tanned" again and this time made a wisecrack about Michelle Obama's skin colour as well.
Mr Berlusconi told a Milan rally of conservative supporters that he was bringing greetings from the United States from "What's his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!"
Shortly after Mr Obama's election in November 2008, Mr Berlusconi raised eyebrows by saying the victor was "young, handsome, and even has a good tan".
This time, Mr Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul who began his career as a cruise ship entertainer, also made a jab at the First Lady.
"You won't believe it," he said, "but two of them went to the beach because the wife is also tanned".
Mr Berlusconi is known for his gaffes.
European media have played up photos showing Michelle Obama greeting many leaders at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh summit last week with a kiss but stiffly holding out her arm for a handshake when it came time to greet Mr Berlusconi.
The photos show 72-year-old Mr Berlusconi's gazing at Mrs Obama's gown instead of her face, and holding his arms out as if in delight at what he sees, while the US President looks on, apparently not amused.
At the rally, he also delivered a backhanded compliment to the US president.
The premier, commenting on Mr Obama's use of an autocue in public speeches, cracked: "He's not reckless like those of us who say what comes to mind. We all asked ourselves: 'Does he know what he's doing, or is he just someone who knows how to read well?' But he's all there, in a big way, and that should make us all happy and satisfied because we need the greatest democracy, the greatest country, to be in trustworthy hands," the Italian premier said.
(UKPA) – 17 hours ago
Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi has called US President Barack Obama "tanned" again and this time made a wisecrack about Michelle Obama's skin colour as well.
Mr Berlusconi told a Milan rally of conservative supporters that he was bringing greetings from the United States from "What's his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!"
Shortly after Mr Obama's election in November 2008, Mr Berlusconi raised eyebrows by saying the victor was "young, handsome, and even has a good tan".
This time, Mr Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul who began his career as a cruise ship entertainer, also made a jab at the First Lady.
"You won't believe it," he said, "but two of them went to the beach because the wife is also tanned".
Mr Berlusconi is known for his gaffes.
European media have played up photos showing Michelle Obama greeting many leaders at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh summit last week with a kiss but stiffly holding out her arm for a handshake when it came time to greet Mr Berlusconi.
The photos show 72-year-old Mr Berlusconi's gazing at Mrs Obama's gown instead of her face, and holding his arms out as if in delight at what he sees, while the US President looks on, apparently not amused.
At the rally, he also delivered a backhanded compliment to the US president.
The premier, commenting on Mr Obama's use of an autocue in public speeches, cracked: "He's not reckless like those of us who say what comes to mind. We all asked ourselves: 'Does he know what he's doing, or is he just someone who knows how to read well?' But he's all there, in a big way, and that should make us all happy and satisfied because we need the greatest democracy, the greatest country, to be in trustworthy hands," the Italian premier said.
