Meloni: No contact with Trump since G7 dispute; admits misjudging relationship

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that her relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump remains strained, with no communication between them since late June. The cooling of relations follows a public disagreement at the G7 summit, where Trump allegedly attempted to humiliate Meloni after previously praising her.

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We haven't spoken with Trump in weeks.

Meloni recounted that Trump claimed she had sought a photo with him, a statement that angered her and led her to declare that neither she nor Italy would beg. When asked about future communication after the summer break, Meloni responded noncommittally, "Well, we'll see." Despite the personal friction, she stands by her efforts to position herself as a mediator for Trump's potential second term, emphasizing the importance of Western unity.

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I still believe that Western unity is a very important thing. I do not decide Italy's strategy based on my personal relationships.

Reflecting on her interactions with Trump, Meloni acknowledged a miscalculation regarding the nature of their relationship. "With Donald Trump, I naturally thought things would be easier, because our views on immigration and woke culture are aligned," she stated. However, she conceded, "It turned out differently."

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With Donald Trump, I naturally thought things would be easier, because our views on immigration and woke culture are aligned. It turned out differently.

In the interview with The New York Times, Meloni also outlined her broader political ambitions for Italy. She expressed a desire for Italy to increase its global influence, stating, "Italy must stop being the reserve tire of France and Germany." Meloni insists that Italy should be "at the table with those who set the direction," underscoring her aim to elevate the nation's standing on the world stage.

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Italy must stop being the reserve tire of France and Germany. Italy must be at the table with those who set the direction.