US envoy warned by Belgian foreign minister after provocative social media posts

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confronted US Ambassador Bill White about a series of insulting social-media messages aimed at Belgian officials. White’s Instagram post featured a computer-generated picture of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke accompanied by a taunt about who was the "biggest loser" in Belgium, apparently reacting to the minister’s call for tougher alcohol labeling. The ambassador had earlier, in February, criticized the Belgian government for alleged antisemitism linked to a probe of Jewish circumcisions, sparking diplomatic friction.

Prévot warned that personal attacks on Belgian officials cannot be tolerated and that further provocation might unnecessarily strain relations. White later confirmed the discussion on the platform X and promised to refrain from making derogatory statements targeting Belgian officials.