Trump settles scores with Meloni on Truth Social

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni finds herself caught between declining domestic popularity and persistent attacks from a troublesome U.S. ally, Donald Trump, amid deep disagreements over the war against Iran. The public spat escalated after Trump stated in an interview that he felt "pity" for Meloni, a remark that served as a diplomatic slap in the face.

Meloni retorted forcefully, asserting that neither she nor Italy begs anyone. While the exchange could have ended there, Trump escalated the conflict on his Truth Social platform with a vitriolic message. He mixed personal reproaches with political accusations against his transatlantic partner, adopting a tone unusually direct, even for him. This highlights a growing rift between Washington and Rome that has been simmering for months.

Trump's post targeted Meloni's perceived struggles in Italian polls, where her party, Fratelli d’Italia, has seen a slight decline recently. He also criticized her refusal to align with U.S. military strategy against Tehran, a stance Rome has not officially confirmed but which European diplomatic sources have alluded to. Trump claimed Meloni asked him multiple times for a photo during the G7 summit in France, linking her low popularity to her alleged stance against U.S. interests regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Trump further emphasized a specific logistical and symbolic point: the alleged refusal to allow the use of Italian airstrips. He framed this as a significant inconvenience, especially considering the substantial annual U.S. financial contributions to the protection of Italy and other NATO allies. The accusation is serious, as Italy hosts several key American military bases, including Aviano Air Base.

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La formule a fait l’effet d’une gifle diplomatique. La cheffe du gouvernement italien a répliqué sans ménagement, assurant que ni elle ni l’Italie ne supplient personne.