“I’ve always liked Giorgia Meloni; our relationship is very good,” said Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Alabama, the U.S. president used a few words to shift away from the sharper comments and social media posts from recent months. In late spring and summer he had criticized some European NATO allies for not supporting U.S. actions against Iran; his brief praise for the Italian prime minister contrasts with those earlier, more pointed statements.

The meme on Truth

The most recent jab came in early July, when Trump posted a meme focused on the prime minister on the social platform Truth: the image shows the premier looking at him with a caption suggesting “a restraining order is needed.” The provocation drew attention, including an analysis in the Financial Times, which said the post underscored the tycoon’s ongoing resentment toward the prime minister and other NATO allies for their reluctance to allow U.S. bases in Europe to be used in a U.S.-Israeli campaign of strikes against Iran.

The June split

The public confrontation erupted on June 19, after Trump — through statements and posts on Truth — appeared on La7’s L’Aria che tira claiming that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo at the G7 in France and saying he had spoken to her “out of pity.” In the following days he renewed his criticism, accusing the prime minister of having “turned her back” on the United States over the Iran dossier and of denying the use of strategic Italian bases, notably Sigonella, for operations against Tehran.

Meloni replied in a video, asserting that Italy respects agreements and defends its national sovereignty: “One thing to remember: Italy and I never beg.” After a later attack by the U.S. president on her domestic approval ratings, the prime minister answered tersely on Instagram: “Being friends with you certainly didn’t help my popularity, which does not depend on my relationship with you.”

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