U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly turned on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling her “unacceptable” and claiming she is “no longer the same person,” insinuating she is a coward following her criticism of his attack on Pope Leo XIV.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Trump said he was “shocked” by Meloni. “I thought she was brave, but I was wrong,” he added.
Responding to Meloni’s remarks in which she condemned his comments about the pope Trump fired back saying:
“It’s her who’s unacceptable, because she doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance.”
Allies rally behind Meloni
Despite the unusually sharp criticism from Washington, Meloni’s allies have closed ranks.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto defended her on X, describing her as “a leader who has never been afraid to speak her mind, especially when principles, respect and identity are at stake.”
The clash marks a dramatic reversal in relations between the two leaders. Just a year ago, Trump had praised Meloni as “a marvelous woman” and “a great leader,” with many viewing her as Europe’s closest ally to the U.S. president.
She was notably the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025 and had acted as a key intermediary between Europe and Washington during tariff negotiations, alongside Vice President JD Vance.
Calculated political shift
The fallout comes amid a broader repositioning by Meloni, who has recently begun distancing herself from Trump as his policies become increasingly unpopular in Italy.
Her government has taken several steps signaling this shift:
Refusing permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily
Publicly outlining disagreements with the White House in parliament
Speaking out in defense of Pope Leo XIV
These moves follow political pressure at home, including a setback in a recent referendum that critics linked to her perceived closeness to Trump.
While the rift risks weakening Italy’s ties with Washington, it may strengthen Meloni’s standing domestically.
Public opinion has turned sharply against U.S. policy in the Middle East. Polling by SWG in March found:
60% of Italians oppose U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran
90% are concerned about the war’s impact on energy prices
Against the backdrop of an ongoing energy crisis and regional instability, Meloni’s more independent stance could resonate with voters at home even as it strains one of her most important international relationships.
