EditTrump attacks Meloni: “I thought she had courage”
From closest allies to public rift: the Pope dispute shatters Meloni’s special bond with The U.S. President
U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a sharp public attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, signaling a dramatic breakdown in what was once one of the closest transatlantic relationships on the European right.
Until recently, Meloni was widely regarded as Trump’s most reliable European partner – often dubbed “Europe’s Trump whisperer.” The two leaders share similar ideological views on immigration, national sovereignty, and skepticism toward certain progressive policies. Meloni was the only European head of government invited to Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, visited him multiple times at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, and was frequently praised by Trump as a “fantastic woman” and “great leader.” Many saw her as a natural bridge between Washington and a divided Europe.
That relationship has now soured rapidly. The breaking point appears to be Meloni’s strong defence of Pope Leo XIV after Trump harshly criticised the pontiff for his stance on the ongoing crisis with Iran and the broader Middle East conflict. Meloni described Trump’s remarks about the Pope as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that religious leaders have every right to call for peace without political interference. Trump, in turn, expressed shock and disappointment in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera.
“I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” Trump said, accusing Meloni of refusing to support U.S. positions on both energy security and military involvement in the region. He claimed Italy “does not want to get involved” despite relying on the affected sea routes for its oil supplies, adding that Rome expects “America to do the work for her.”
Trump also criticized Italy’s contributions to NATO as insufficient and expressed frustration over Rome’s reluctance to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions more forcefully. Notably, he revealed that he has not spoken with Meloni “for a long time,” a stark contrast to just weeks or months earlier when he openly called her a friend and ally. “She is no longer the same person, and Italy will not be the same country,” he added.
In the same interview, Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff “does not understand” the war and should stay out of foreign policy matters. He broadened his attack on Europe, accusing the continent of undermining itself through misguided immigration and energy policies while depending on the United States to secure key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
When pressed on what Italy could contribute, Trump said he had asked allies to send “whatever they want,” but claimed they were unwilling to act. He went so far as to dismiss NATO as “a paper tiger.”
Reactions in Italy
The remarks have triggered strong responses across the Italian political spectrum. Senate President Ignazio La Russa, from Meloni’s own coalition, defended her position as a matter of institutional duty, particularly after Trump’s attack on the Pope. “When we are not in agreement, we have the duty — even before the right — to say so,” he stated.
Opposition leaders were more vocal. Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein called for a unified national condemnation of Trump’s words, describing them as “extremely serious” and asserting Italian sovereignty: “No foreign leader can allow himself to insult and threaten our country and our government.” Green leader Angelo Bonelli spoke of foreign “interference” and expressed solidarity with the Pope.
Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte suggested the clash was predictable due to Meloni’s previously unclear positioning toward Washington. “Sooner or later, all issues come to a head,” he remarked.
In the political center, reactions varied. Carlo Calenda praised Meloni for showing “courage” in distancing herself from Trump and called for a united Italian response. Conversely, Matteo Renzi interpreted the episode as evidence of Meloni’s growing international isolation, saying she had been “dumped even by her guru.”
The original article in Italian by our partner FocusEurope.it can be found here.
Caption: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appears on the Raiuno Italian television program Cinque Minuti conducted by Italian journalist Bruno Vespa (not pictured), in Rome, Italy 20 March 2026. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Updated: April 15, 2026 - 06:28
