Trump and Meloni Continue Their Feud

WASHINGTON – Over the weekend, President Trump reignited his clash with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, posting a meme that suggested she has an unusual fixation on him.

On Sunday, Trump shared an image showing Meloni gazing at him with a cheerful smile, captioned “I need a restraining order.” This brought back memories of the unexpected exchange of words that followed last month’s G7 summit in France.

Trump took a jab at Meloni during an interview with the Italian broadcaster La7, stating, “She was probably happy to talk to me. She really wanted a picture with me. I wouldn’t have done that, but I felt sorry for her.”

Meloni reacted strongly, expressing her “appall” at Trump’s remarks, calling his version of events “fabricated.” In a direct response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani even canceled a scheduled visit to the U.S.

“I don’t understand why the president of the United States would act like this towards an ally. This isn’t the first time something like this has occurred,” Meloni wrote in a social media post.

“It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t show the same resolve against our Western adversaries and America’s foes.”

Trump further explained that his dispute with Meloni arose from Italy’s refusal to allow U.S. bombers to use the Sigonella naval air base in Sicily for operations against Iran.

In response, Meloni stated that the base is “governed by agreements we have always respected and cannot violate while I am prime minister.”

Both Trump and Meloni are expected to face each other again this week during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Once seen as allies, they both shared strong views on immigration. Meloni, now 49, was previously described by Trump as a “beautiful young woman” and was the sole European leader present at his presidential inauguration last January.