Meloni’s feud with Trump is a calculated political move, analyst says
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s growing feud with President Donald Trump is nothing more than a calculated political strategy aimed at strengthening his position at home, a leading Italian political analyst told Fox News Digital on Sunday.
After the debate between Trump and Meloni escalated on June 20, analysts said the Italian leader could see little downside in confronting Trump, especially given that he faces declining approval ratings ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election.
The diplomatic dispute reached boiling point after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was canceling his trip to Washington, where he was scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio on June 19.
“Giorgia Meloni must have calculated that a public debate with Trump would produce no tangible results other than an increase in his domestic and international standing.” Mattia DilettiPolitical science lecturer at Sapienza University of Romein question.
TRUMP SAID MELONI ‘WANTED TO BE FRIENDS AGAIN’ AFTER ITALY REFUSED TO HELP US IN THE IRAN WAR
Giorgia Meloni said President Trump’s statements were “completely fabricated” and that “neither I nor Italy would ever beg.” (Mandel NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Bastien Ohier/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images))
Political scientist Giovanni Orsina from Rome Luiss University also said: Finance Times He said the fight would present a “positive image” for Meloni and offer a “silver lining” to a confrontation he was “desperately trying to avoid.”
The rift between Trump and Meloni intensified after an interview aired on Italy’s La7 television channel, in which the president claimed he asked for a photo of him at the G7 summit and agreed only out of pity.
“He begged me to take a picture with him,” Trump said. “He wanted to take a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for him.”
RUBIO MEETS MELONI WHILE THE TRUMP-POPE CONFLICT MAKES THE USA DIFFICULTIES WITH EUROPE’S IMPORTANT ALLY
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended his annual press conference in Rome on January 9, 2026, where he discussed government priorities and policy challenges for the coming year. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Meloni responded by releasing a video statement denying the president’s narrative about X.
“Frankly, I was stunned,” Meloni said in the video message. “I don’t know why the president of the United States acts this way towards his own allies. But there is one thing he must remember: Neither I nor Italy ever begs.”
Trump doubled down on Truth Social and attributed the controversy directly to Meloni’s political fortunes.
“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked to take a photo with me during the G7 meeting in France,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He’s in bad shape in terms of his popularity in Italy, probably because he turned down the United States… As for denying Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons… He wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, which is a huge logistical inconvenience… Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, he wants to be friends again to increase his ‘numbers’. No thanks!!!”
Within hours, Meloni responded on social media: “As for my popularity, being your friend certainly did not help it… My popularity depends on my ability to defend the national interests of Italy… In any case, my popularity is none of your business. I suggest you focus on your own popularity.”
THATCHER’S FORMER ADVISER TRUMP SAYS EUROPE’S BETRAYAL TO IRAN ‘THE RIGHT TO BE ANGER’
Rubio will travel to Italy on Wednesday to meet with Pope Leo and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (Maria Grazia Picciarella/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
This back-and-forth marks a reversal between two leaders who once enjoyed close political unity.
When Meloni first came to power, he positioned himself as a bridge between Washington and Brussels, strengthening ties with Trump based on shared nationalism and stances on immigration.
“Politically, Trump preferred Meloni,” Diletti said, noting that he had previously visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida in 2025. Meloni was the only European Union leader to attend his second inauguration.
The cracks began in April when Trump deposed Meloni to Pope Benedict XIV. It also emerged when Leo criticized the United States for taking sides in condemning the conflict with Iran.
On Sunday, Trump also criticized Italy. Giorgia Meloni They accused the NATO ally of failing to counter Tehran’s nuclear ambitions over its approach to Iran.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“As the 2027 Italian general elections approach, Meloni faces a decline in approval ratings for the first time,” Diletti said. he said.
“The opportunity to oppose a President who is so unpopular in Europe and Italy helps increase his approval ratings and allows him to build European solidarity,” he said.
