Trump and Meloni Clash over Gulf Crisis
Relations between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have deteriorated sharply after the US leader accused her of lacking courage and disappointing Washington.
The rift appears to have deepened over Meloni’s refusal to support US action in the Gulf, as well as her response to Trump’s remarks about Pope Leo XIV, which she described as unacceptable. These disputes marked a turning point in what had previously been a close political relationship.
In an interview with Italian media, Trump suggested that Meloni had fallen short of his expectations and was failing to contribute to efforts to resolve the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The disagreement comes amid wider tensions linked to the conflict with Iran and rising energy prices, which are also placing pressure on the Italian economy.
Despite the criticism from Washington, Italian politicians across the political spectrum have rallied behind the prime minister. While reaffirming the importance of the alliance with the United States, they have stressed that it must rest on mutual respect.