Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Wednesday that she has no regrets about her attempts to build a strong relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, even after several public disagreements that have put a strain on their previously close connection. Once regarded as one of Trump’s most loyal allies in Europe, Meloni has recently faced criticism from the president both in media interviews and on social media platforms.
Asked in Ankara at a NATO summit—also attended by Trump—whether she had second thoughts about the political investments she made in supporting Trump, Meloni replied, “No, I absolutely don’t regret anything I’ve done.” She emphasized that her commitment to Western unity was not a strategy adopted solely with Trump’s arrival but a consistent approach she has pursued with all her international counterparts.
Trump’s initial public critique of Meloni surfaced in April after she rebuked him for criticizing Pope Leo over the pontiff’s stance on the Iran conflict. Additionally, in March, Italy blocked U.S. military aircraft destined for the Middle East from landing at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily. Despite that, Meloni, who was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration last year, chose not to respond to a recent social media post by Trump that depicted her looking up at him with the caption: “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED.”
Meloni highlighted that her support for Western cohesion is rooted in principles rather than personal alliances. She said, “I made that political investment because I believe in the unity of the West. It’s not a strategy I started with Trump’s arrival, but one I have maintained with all my counterparts.” While acknowledging that the dynamics between her and Trump are evolving, she maintained that they still share common views on key issues like immigration and opposing what she calls “woke culture.”
During the NATO summit, Trump was more diplomatic, describing Meloni as “a nice person” but also reiterating criticism that she has not done enough to back his military actions against Iran, which are anticipated to resume soon.
