For years, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni played the role of intermediary between Europe and US President Donald Trump, capitalising on their ideological alignment. But the relationship has now collapsed into open confrontation and a public spat that has crossed diplomatic protocol and sent shockwaves through ties between the two countries.
Meloni accused Trump on Friday of "fabricating a narrative about her" following his claim that she had "begged to take a photo with him" — an allegation she flatly denied, saying she was astonished by it. Trump then doubled down on his Truth Social platform, insisting that Meloni had repeatedly asked to be photographed with him, while also criticising her political performance in Italy. "And now, after the United States militarily defeated Iran, she wants her friendship back in order to boost her popularity?! No, thank you," he wrote.
The relationship between Trump and Meloni had previously been at its strongest: she was the only European leader to attend Trump's 2025 inauguration ceremony, and she had also been among those who supported his nomination for the Nobel Prize — until the war against Iran upended the equation.
She drew Trump's fury by refusing to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, and by defending the Vatican Pope during a dispute over the war with Iran.
Following the public altercation, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of an official visit that had been scheduled for Washington next week, in a gesture of diplomatic protest against the escalating tensions.