The political relationship between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former US President Donald Trump, once hailed as a significant alliance within European right-wing politics, has undergone a dramatic and very public deterioration. What was once a seemingly strong bond, with Meloni even dubbed the 'Trump whisperer', has devolved into a series of public attacks and personal insults, leaving observers questioning the stability of their future interactions.
This unexpected fracture began to emerge in late March when Italy's defence ministry declined to permit US military aircraft, destined for the Middle East, to utilise the NATO airbase at Sigonella in Sicily without prior parliamentary approval. This decision, rooted in Italy's constitutional principles and strong public opposition to the ongoing conflict, marked the first significant strain. Weeks later, the dispute intensified following Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, where he labelled the pontiff 'weak on crime' for his stance on the war. Meloni, leading a predominantly Catholic nation, swiftly condemned Trump's remarks as 'unacceptable', prompting a sharp retort from Trump himself, who expressed shock at her 'lack of courage' and declared her 'unacceptable'.
A brief period of apparent reconciliation occurred in June at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where photographs showed Trump and Meloni engaged in deep conversation. Italian officials spoke of a 'clarifying discussion', and Meloni herself told reporters the atmosphere had been 'very positive' with 'no friction'. However, this brief truce was shattered just days later when Trump, in an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, claimed Meloni had 'begged' him for a photo at the summit, adding, 'I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.' Meloni quickly responded with a video, delivered in Italian, calling Trump's account 'completely fabricated' and asserting, 'neither I nor Italy ever beg.'
The fallout from Trump's comments was immediate and far-reaching within Italy. Italian President Sergio Mattarella reportedly phoned Meloni to express solidarity, while government colleagues and MPs denounced Trump's remarks as offensive and damaging to Italy's dignity, demanding an apology. Opposition members also condemned the comments as an 'unacceptable affront' to the entire nation. In a clear sign of diplomatic strain, Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, subsequently cancelled a planned trip to Washington.
For Meloni, who has worked to rebrand herself from the fringes of Italian post-fascist politics into a credible, moderate face of the European right, her previous closeness to Trump was seen as crucial validation on the international stage. This public breakdown, however, risks undermining her carefully cultivated image and potentially impacting Italy's diplomatic leverage, particularly if Trump were to return to the US presidency.
The UK, a key European ally and NATO member, will be observing these developments closely. The stability of alliances involving major European economies and the US is of paramount importance for collective security and economic cooperation. Any perceived weakening of these ties, particularly with a significant G7 nation like Italy, could have broader implications for Western unity and influence.
Source: BBC News