US President Donald Trump has launched an unusually sharp public attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marking a notable deterioration in relations between the two leaders who had previously maintained a close political rapport.
The remarks were published today in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera and come amid growing political friction between Washington and European allies. That is over the war in Iran, NATO responsibilities, energy security and the US administration’s increasingly confrontational stance toward the Vatican following Pope Leo XIV’s comments on the conflict.
The dispute followed Meloni’s criticism of Trump’s remarks regarding Pope Leo XIV, which she described as “unacceptable”. In response, Trump rejected her position and escalated his attack on the Italian Prime Minister.
“It is she who is unacceptable, because she does not care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if it had the chance,” Trump said.
He also questioned Meloni’s leadership and political judgement.
“Does Meloni like the people? I cannot imagine it. I am shocked by her. I thought she had courage, I was wrong.”
Trump further accused Italy of relying heavily on the US while failing to assume greater responsibility in global security and energy policy.
“Do you like the fact that your prime minister is doing nothing to secure oil? She just says Italy does not want to be involved,” he saaid.
“Even though Italy gets its oil from there, even though America is very important for Italy. She does not think Italy should be involved. She thinks America should do the job for her.”
The US President also stated that he had not spoken recently with the Italian leader.
“No, not for a long time,” he said when asked about recent contact.
He linked the disagreement to broader NATO-related tensions and US expectations regarding European allies in the context of the Iran conflict.
“This is because she does not want to help us with NATO, she does not want to help us get rid of the nuclear weapon. She is very different from what I thought,” he added.
The comments are particularly notable given Trump’s previous public praise of Meloni as one of Europe’s most reliable conservative allies, making the tone of the exchange a marked shift in bilateral relations.
The latest tensions come as Italy has adopted a more cautious position on aspects of the US-led approach to the Iran conflict, reflecting domestic political sensitivity over military escalation.
Claims regarding the use or denial of Italian military bases for US operations have not been officially confirmed.
Italian officials have described the situation as “deeply concerning”, while reiterating Rome’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance.
Neither the White House or Palazzo Chigi have issued further clarification following the publication of the interview.
