From Vocal Supporter To Distant Partner: How The Trump-Meloni Relationship Evolved Over The Years

Last Updated:June 19, 2026, 18:04 IST

The debate over the Trump-Meloni relationship emerged after the US president claimed she "begged" him for a photograph at the G7 Summit.

The relationship between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was thrust into the spotlight after Trump publicly claimed that Meloni “begged" him for a photograph at the G7 Summit, prompting a swift rebuttal from the Italian premier.

In an exclusive phone interview with Italy’s La7 channel, Trump claimed Meloni had “begged" him to take a photograph with her, adding that he agreed only because he “felt sorry" for her. Meloni responded by saying she was “appalled" by Trump’s claims, calling them “completely made up."

Trump’s recent remarks sparked outrage among several Italian leaders, with Deputy PM Antonio Tajani cancelling his upcoming visit to the United States. The controversy reignited a debate in the relationship between the two right-wing leaders.

How The Trump-Meloni Relationship Evolved

Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Trump and was seen as his natural ally in Europe due to ideological alignment and strategic convenience. Amid tensions between the US and the European Union (EU), Meloni was the only European leader to attend his 2025 inauguration.

The relationship was shaped by their shared populist ideas, including anti-immigration policies, scepticism toward liberal institutions and traditional values. Meloni was frequently compared to Trump over her conservative positions, with many observers believing that she could serve as a bridge between Washington and Brussels.

First Encounter

Trump and Meloni first sat down for a face-to-face meeting during the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in 2024, after which the US president described Meloni as a “real live-wire."

Trump heaped praises on Meloni, saying she was “full of energy (and) fantastic", signalling warmer relations during his second presidency. Meloni also said she was able to speak to him “frankly even when we disagree".

Meloni attended Trump’s inauguration while several other European leaders were sidelined. Trump again praised the Italian PM and hinted at a political relationship, saying, “I like her a lot, let’s see what happens." The two leaders also held talks at the White House, where Meloni invited Trump to visit Italy and proposed an expanded format with European leaders.

Cracks Appear

The first cracks in the relationship between Trump and Meloni appeared over his aggressive claim over Greenland. After Trump repeatedly proposed buying the Danish-administered territory and threatened allies with tariffs if they resisted, Meloni aligned herself more with her EU partners.

Another point of contention was Ukraine, with the Trump administration hinting at scaling back support for Kyiv and offering more concessions to Russia. While Meloni was initially sceptical over Europe’s deeper involvement in Ukraine, she stood firmly with NATO and EU support for Kyiv to halt Moscow’s invasion.

The Tipping Point: Pope Leo And Iran

The Trump-Meloni “break up" became more prominent after the US president publicly lashed out against Pope Leo XIV for criticising his war in Iran. Trump said the Pope was “weak on crime" and suggested the pontiff should “stop catering to the radical left".

Meloni called Trump’s criticism of the Pope “unacceptable", adding that the head of the Catholic church was right to call for peace. This prompted a stinging rebuke from Trump, who said, “I thought she had courage, but I was wrong."

“She’s unacceptable because she doesn’t mind that Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if they had the chance," he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Furthermore, Trump’s call for European leaders to assemble a naval force to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz found few takers in Europe, with Italy among the important countries that refused. At the end of March, Italy also refused a request from the US military for aircraft to land at the Naval Air Station Sigonella on the island of Sicily. Meloni also announced the suspension of a defence agreement with Israel, a move that annoyed the White House.

Trump’s unpredictability had turned one of the most crucial transatlantic partnerships into an increasingly fragile relationship. Meloni’s realignment with EU partners shows the political costs of aligning too closely with an increasingly unpopular Trump for broader European cohesion.

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int...Read More

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