President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni displayed a visibly strained relationship at a recent NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, marked by a public snub and a series of acrimonious exchanges. The two leaders, once political allies, appeared to engage in a "calculated tactical standoff" as Trump walked past Meloni without acknowledgment during the customary NATO family photo, an incident described by body language expert Judi James as an "icy head toss" that "froze out Trump and cast a cold chill over NATO."
James observed that Meloni "studiously turn[ed] her head away as he arrives, meaning there is no need for any acknowledgment ritual between them." The expert further noted a "little toss of the head from Meloni to announce the moment has passed as he has walked by." This moment followed a significant public dispute that began at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, last month. Trump had claimed in an Italian news outlet that Meloni "begged" him for a photo, stating, "I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her." He added, "She might be happy that I talked to her, I didn't have to talk to her."
Meloni responded forcefully to Trump's claims, calling them "completely made-up" and asserting, "Neither I nor Italy ever beg." She expressed astonishment at Trump's public criticism of a Western ally, especially given their past friendship, and suggested it was "not the first time it's happened." Meloni criticized Trump for being less assertive towards the "enemies of the West" while criticizing allies, stating, "I can only say that it's unfortunate that he doesn't have the same determination toward the enemies of the United States, toward leaders with whom he appears much more accommodating."
Trump continued the public feud on his Truth Social platform, reiterating his claim that Meloni repeatedly sought a photo during the G7 meeting. He also linked her popularity in Italy to her past decision to deny Iran access to nuclear weapons. This assertion appeared to reference a prior dispute in March when Italy reportedly banned U.S. warplanes from landing at the Sigonella air base in Sicily. According to Politico, Trump had previously launched a strong attack on Meloni over this decision, accusing her of abandoning America and NATO and threatening to withdraw U.S. troops from Italy.
Meloni countered these accusations, defending Italy's adherence to agreements regarding the use of military bases and dismissing Trump's comments on her popularity as irrelevant. She stated, "As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you." The recent incident at the NATO summit underscores a dramatic collapse in their relationship, which was once characterized by close alliance. Meloni had previously been seen as a key link between the White House and Europe's conservative right, and she was notably one of the few European leaders to attend Trump's inauguration.