Trump Mocks Meloni in Fresh Social Media Attack

Tensions between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have escalated again ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey. Trump posted a photograph of Meloni on his social media platform, Truth Social, with the caption: “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED."

The post marks the latest episode in the deteriorating relationship between the two leaders. Last month, Meloni accused Trump of fabricating a story that she had begged him for a photograph together at the G7 summit in France.

The Italian prime minister has not yet responded publicly to the latest post. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stressed that maintaining strong relations with the United States remains Italy's priority. “People come and go but relationships remain", he said.

Opposition politicians were far more critical. Carlo Calenda, leader of the Azione party, described the US president as a “despicable, cheap bully" and publicly expressed his support for Meloni.

Meloni was once one of Trump's strongest supporters in Europe and was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025. This year, however, she criticised him over his attacks on Pope Leo XIV following the pontiff's condemnation of the conflict with Iran. Trump subsequently accused the Italian prime minister of lacking courage.

(Reuters, bak)