From ‘singing’ to criticism: what’s behind the exchange of barbs between Trump and Giorgia Meloni

Meloni once again defends the pope from Trump’s criticism The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has come into conflict with yet another world leader. This time, the target is the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Previously close allies, the two began exchanging criticism in recent days. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp At first, Pope Leo XIV appears to be the pivot of the crisis. Meloni criticized Trump after the North American president called the pontiff “weak”, on Sunday (12), for condemning the war in Iran. “I consider President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. The pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, and it is correct and natural for him to ask for peace and condemn all forms of war”, said the premier, in a statement released on Monday (13). The answer came a day later. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump said he was “shocked” by the Italian leader’s stance and said he believed she lacked courage. “She is no longer the same person, and Italy will never be the same country again.” Despite the episode involving Leo XIV, the distance between Trump and Meloni began months earlier. Analysts interviewed by The New York Times believe that the prime minister took advantage of the moment to signal to the domestic public a departure from the North American president, amid surveys that indicate an increase in their unpopularity among Italian voters. 👉 Understand below how Trump and Meloni grew closer and further apart. Bridge with the USA Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and United States President Donald Trump in April 2025 REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Meloni has always been seen as one of the European leaders closest to Trump. The two shared similar positions on issues such as combating illegal immigration and criticizing progressive agendas, which they classified as “woke”. The rapprochement began even before Meloni came to power. In 2018, she hosted former Trump adviser Stephen Bannon at a conservative conference in Italy, when she was still considered a rising politician. The following year, Meloni participated in a conservative event in the United States. She spoke on the same day as Trump. When Trump returned to the White House in 2025, Meloni was the only European leader present at the inauguration ceremony in Washington. The prime minister frequently praised the Republican’s policies and came to be seen as a trusted name for the US in Europe. The mood began to change in April last year, when Trump announced trade tariffs against dozens of countries, including European allies. Meloni stated that the United States was making the wrong decision by taxing products from the continent. Still, that same month, the prime minister traveled to Washington and met with Trump at the White House. The meeting, held in front of journalists in the Oval Office, was marked by mutual praise. Meloni was even identified as a possible bridge between the USA and Europe. In October, the two had an unusual moment during an event in Egypt to sign a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. “In America, if you tell a woman she’s beautiful, her political career is over. But I take the risk,” Trump said during the speech. Then he turned to Meloni, who was standing behind him, and said, “You won’t be offended if I say you’re beautiful, will you? Because you are.” The prime minister smiled and remained in a good mood as Trump described her as “incredible” and “successful”. At other times during the event, however, she appeared bored. Crisis Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and US President, Donald Trump, greet each other at the ‘Gaza summit’, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Reuters The relationship gained new contours in January, when Trump once again defended the annexation of Greenland, an autonomous territory under the sovereignty of Denmark. The proposal was rejected by European countries, which even sent military personnel to exercise on the island. When asked about the matter at a press conference, Meloni tried to balance between a conciliatory tone and a firmer one. “I don’t believe in the hypothesis of the US starting military action in Greenland, which I wouldn’t agree with,” he said. “I believe that the Trump administration, with its very assertive methods, is drawing attention to the strategic importance of Greenland.” In February, when the US attacked Iran in a joint action with Israel, Italy was surprised. The Italian Defense Minister was on vacation in the United Arab Emirates and had to be rescued in a military jet. The case became the target of mockery from the opposition. “For months we were told that Meloni was the bridge between Trump and Europe. Today we discovered that the White House warned the British, French, Germans and even Poles about the operation in Iran. Everyone except us Italians. What a shame!” wrote opposition leader Matteo Renzi. Polls quickly showed that Italians did not support the North American offensive. Furthermore, the war caused gas and energy prices to rise in the country. All of this occurred in the same month that Italy was going to the polls to vote on a judicial reform supported by Meloni. Faced with this scenario, the prime minister began to condemn the war. In the early days of the conflict, she said she was concerned about the conflict and said the United States acted without consulting European allies. Days later, Meloni declared that Italy would not participate in the war. Furthermore, the Italian Defense Minister stated that the attack against Iran “occurred outside the norms of international law”. In yet another gesture, Meloni refused to allow US fighter jets to use an air base in Sicily for combat operations in Iran. Still, the prime minister ended up defeated in the referendum on judicial reform. The result strengthened the opposition, which was facing difficulties in combating the government’s policies. Opportunity The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, on April 15, 2026 REUTERS/Remo Casilli According to The New York Times, experts believe that Meloni may have taken advantage of the crisis between Trump and the Pope to break with the American president. Analysts believe that a definitive departure could change the perception of Italian voters uncomfortable with the US. On Tuesday (14), in yet another move in this direction, she announced that Italy would not renew a defense agreement with Israel. The measure was adopted after warning shots hit an Italian convoy that is part of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. 🔎 The decision, according to analysts interviewed by the Associated Press, was motivated more by internal politics than by a strategic change. Meanwhile, the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, stated that relations between the United States and Italy will not be affected by the controversy involving Pope Leo. “Italy and the United States are allied countries and maintain their relationship and alliance within international institutions, starting, obviously, with the Atlantic Alliance,” he said in an interview with Radio 24. Trump insisted this Wednesday that the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated. “She has been negative,” he said in an interview with Fox News. “Anyone who refused to help us on this Iran issue no longer has the same relationship with us.” On the other hand, Mariangela Zappia, former Italian ambassador to the United States, stated that the personal crisis between Meloni and Trump should not affect relations between the two countries. According to her, Trump has acted impulsively after becoming frustrated with Europe regarding Iran. “Europe absolutely considers the United States a historic ally, but, in a way, it wants to participate in the decisions that are made,” Zappia told the Associated Press. VIDEOS: most watched on g1

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