Tensions between Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni escalated on Tuesday after the US president publicly rebuked one of his closest European allies, accusing her of lacking “courage” and not supporting Washington’s efforts against Iran.
In a telephone interview with the Italian daily Corriere della SeraTrump called Meloni “unacceptable” and said he was “shocked” by her position, according to the outlet’s English version.
The dispute with Trump was further fueled by Meloni’s criticism of his recent comments against Pope Leo
In a scathing rebuke of the Vatican’s call for de-escalation in the Middle East, President Trump responded Truth Social to destroy Pope Leo XIV. Trump called the pope “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and warned him to “focus on being a great pope, not a politician.” The post, which quickly went viral, accused the first American pope of “targeting the radical left” at the expense of global security.
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In the interview with Corriere della Sera Trump also reiterated his criticism of Pope Leo
Tensions between Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni escalated on Tuesday. (Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)
She “doesn’t give us any help, I’m shocked by her,” Trump said of Meloni in the six-minute conversation.
He went further, accusing Meloni of relying on Washington while refusing to act.
“They depend on Donald Trump to keep it open,” he said, referring to global energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The comments mark a sharp change in tone toward Meloni, who attended Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and was praised by him several weeks ago as “a great leader.”
The White House and Meloni’s office did not immediately respond.
The public division comes as Meloni begins to distance himself from both Washington and Jerusalem amid mounting domestic and political pressure over the spreading conflict in the Middle East.
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US President Donald Trump makes remarks, as cheered by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after the official signing of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, during a summit of world leaders on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
On Tuesday, Meloni confirmed in a statement that Italy had suspended the automatic renewal of a long-standing defense cooperation agreement with Israel, signaling a significant recalibration in ties.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel,” she said, according to Reuters.
The move follows recent tensions between Rome and Jerusalem, including Israeli warning shots fired at Italian troops serving in southern Lebanon under a UN mandate, and growing Italian criticism of Israeli military operations in the region.
Israel downplayed the impact of the decision, saying the agreement was largely symbolic and “never contained any substantive content,” Reuters reported.
In Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the government after Italy’s move.
“Italy’s decision to suspend the defense cooperation agreement with Israel is yet another shameful failure of the Prime Minister and the non-existent Foreign Minister,” Lapid wrote on X.
TRUMP SAYS HE’S CONSIDERING WITHDRAWING US FROM NATO DUE TO THE WAR POSITION IN IRAN
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is greeted by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley (L) upon arrival at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. European leaders join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in talks with US President Donald Trump on August 18 as they try to find a way to end the Russian offensive. The leaders heading to Washington on Monday to appear alongside Zelensky call themselves the “coalition of the willing.” (Photo by Mandel NGAN/AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
“Meloni is not a left-wing progressive European leader,” she added. “She belongs to the conservative right and understands the need to fight terrorism.”
Meloni’s shift reflects what analysts describe as a broader political repositioning as the economic fallout from the war, particularly rising energy costs, weighs heavily on Italy’s import-dependent economy and public opinion.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended Meloni and reaffirmed Italy’s alliance with the United States, while emphasizing that cooperation must be based on “loyalty, respect and mutual sincerity.”
The escalating tensions highlight growing rifts within Western alliances as the US-led confrontation with Iran resonates across Europe, forcing leaders like Meloni to balance strategic partnerships with domestic political realities.
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A ship is seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, 2026. (Shadowy Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
The Israeli Ministry of Defense declined to comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.
