Belgium summons US ambassador over Instagram post mocking health minister

Belgium has summoned the US ambassador in response to a satirical Instagram post targeting the Belgian Health Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot summoned US Ambassador Bill White for the second time this year, following a similar incident in February. The Instagram post featured an AI-generated image of Vandenbroucke on a cigarette pack, accompanied by the caption, "Who is the biggest loser in Belgium?"

The image appeared to mock Vandenbroucke's efforts to change health warnings on alcohol advertisements. In a statement, Foreign Minister Prévot stated that it was unacceptable for an ambassador to use such insulting language about a member of the government. Belgium had previously accused White of interfering in the country's internal and judicial affairs after he called an investigation into three Jewish religious leaders "ridiculous" and pressured Vandenbroucke to intervene.

Conner Rousseau, leader of Vandenbroucke's party, Vooruit, also responded to White's post, criticizing the ambassador for lacking knowledge about healthcare and blindly following U.S. President Donald Trump's views.