Relations between Washington and Rome hit a new low this week when US President Donald Trump posted an image of himself with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Truth Social, captioning it simply 'Restraining order needed.' The post, which appeared on 6 July 2026, marks the latest escalation in a feud that has soured what was once seen as one of Trump's closest European alliances.
According to Corriere della Sera, the Italian government has chosen not to respond to what it considers a deliberate provocation. The post itself carried no further explanation, leaving observers to speculate about its meaning. However, the context is clear: tensions have been building since late June, when Trump claimed that Meloni had 'begged' him for a photo together to boost her domestic ratings.
From Photo Claims to Policy Clashes
In a lengthy Truth Social post on 28 June, Trump wrote: 'She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).' Meloni rejected the accusation as 'senseless' and fired back: 'As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you.' She suggested Trump focus on his own approval numbers instead.
The dispute has deeper roots. Italy's refusal to allow US aircraft bound for the Middle East to use its air base in Sicily—a decision linked to the economic fallout from the US-Israeli war in Iran—has strained bilateral ties. Meloni's government has also clashed with Trump over Pope Leo XIV, whom the US president called 'weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.' Meloni defended the pontiff, stating: 'The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war.'
The personal animosity comes at a delicate moment. The NATO Summit in Ankara is set to begin next week, where European allies are expected to press for clearer security guarantees from Washington. Trump's public attacks on a key EU leader may complicate those discussions, even as European defence spending reaches record levels.
Meloni's Domestic Standing
Despite Trump's claims, Meloni's Brothers of Italy party remains the country's most popular political force. A YouTrend survey for Sky TG24 published in June put the party at 28.6% of voting intentions, more than seven points ahead of the centre-left Democratic Party on 21.5%. Yet her personal favourability is weaker: a YouGov poll from April found 35% of Italians viewed her favourably, against 57% unfavourably. An Ipsos survey from February gave her a 44% approval rating—lower than the 57% favourable rating Pew Research recorded in 2023, less than a year after she took office.
Social media has seen a wave of support for Meloni, with users sharing footage of her being hugged by supporters and cheered by crowds. The episode underscores how Trump's confrontational style is reshaping transatlantic relations, even with leaders once considered ideological allies.
