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US President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying he was "shocked" by her and that she had failed to show courage by not joining US military action against Iran. The rift marks a dramatic shift in a relationship once seen as one of the strongest transatlantic alliances.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Tuesday, Trump said of Meloni: "I'm shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong." The comments came the same day Italy announced it would suspend the automatic renewal of its defense cooperation agreement with Israel.

Coverage comparison

The dispute has been widely reported by international media, with outlets emphasizing different facets of the rift. Several sources, including ABC Australia and The Guardian, highlighted the connection between Trump's criticism and Italy's suspension of the defense pact with Israel, framing the two events as part of a broader breakdown in relations. Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post also noted the timing, with the latter observing that the White House and Meloni's office declined to comment on the reported quotes.

The trigger for Meloni's shift, according to multiple accounts, was Trump's weekend attacks on Pope Leo XIV, whom he lambasted on Truth Social as "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy," and a deleted AI-generated image of Trump as a Jesus-like figure. Meloni called Trump's comments about the pope "unacceptable," prompting Trump to respond that "she is the one who is unacceptable."

Deutsche Welle went further, suggesting that the pope controversy was the "breaking point" for Meloni, who had been regarded as a potential influence on the US president. The outlet also cited analysts who argued Meloni may have used the quarrel to distance herself from an increasingly unpopular US leader, pointing to a March YouGov poll showing 80% of Italians held an unfavorable view of Trump.

Key claims

  • Trump questions Meloni's courage: "I'm shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong," Trump told Corriere della Sera, according to multiple reports. He also said Meloni "doesn't care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if they had the chance."
  • Meloni defends the pope: On Monday, Meloni denounced Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV as "unacceptable," saying she would not feel comfortable in a society where religious leaders do what political leaders say.
  • Italy suspends defense pact with Israel: On Tuesday, Meloni's government announced it would suspend the automatic renewal of its defense cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the "current situation." The agreement, in effect since 2006, covers procurement, training, and the transit of defense equipment. Italy's move followed an incident in which Israeli forces fired warning shots near Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
  • Trump criticizes NATO and Europe: Trump described NATO as a "paper tiger" and said Meloni "doesn't help us with NATO." He also criticized Europe for not being willing to fight for the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked amid the conflict.
  • Meloni's domestic pressures: Analysts and polls suggest Meloni faces significant domestic pressures, including high energy prices and a defeat in a judicial reform referendum. A recent SWG poll found nine in 10 Italians were worried about energy prices and six in 10 opposed the war.

Perspectives

Meloni's supporters, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have defended her position, saying Italy remains a steadfast ally of the US but that alliances require "loyalty, respect, and honesty." Opposition leader Elly Schlein condemned Trump's "serious lack of respect," noting that Italy's constitution repudiates war.

Some commentators, particularly in Al Jazeera's analysis, have criticized Meloni for what they describe as a "moral retreat" on Gaza, pointing to her equivocal stance on the Iran war and her decision to join Germany in blocking an EU attempt to suspend the trade deal with Israel. They note that while Italy suspended the defense pact, it has not taken stronger measures against Israel, and Italian firms such as Leonardo and Fincantieri maintain partnerships with Israeli companies.

Trump's remarks also come amid broader tensions with European allies over Iran and NATO. He has threatened consequences for countries such as Spain and accused the UK of not stepping up. The rift with Meloni, once seen as a bridge between the US and Europe, underscores the challenges facing transatlantic relations as the war in the Middle East continues.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Italy's defense agreement with Israel was first signed in 2016. The agreement came into effect in 2006, though a subsequent memorandum was signed in 2016.