Trump Humiliates Meloni with “Restraining Order” Post as US-Italy Tensions Flare

Tensions between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni resurfaced ahead of the upcoming NATO summit, after Trump posted an image of the two leaders alongside a controversial caption suggesting she needed a “restraining order.”

Trump shared a photo of himself with Meloni, accompanied by the phrase “Restraining order needed,” without further explanation. The post immediately drew attention in Italy and abroad, though the context of the remark was not clarified.

Italian media reported that the government in Rome does not intend to respond formally, with Corriere della Sera noting officials prefer to treat the episode as a provocation rather than escalate the exchange.

The latest incident follows a series of public disputes between the two leaders. In late June, Trump alleged that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo in order to improve her domestic popularity, a claim she firmly rejected.

He also argued that her political standing had weakened in Italy, linking this to broader disagreements over US policy and NATO positions.

“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, also criticizing her stance on issues related to Iran and nuclear non-proliferation.

Meloni dismissed the remarks as unfounded, calling them “senseless,” and countered that her political standing should not be measured through her relationship with foreign leaders.

Relations between Washington and Rome have reportedly deteriorated in recent months, particularly following geopolitical tensions tied to the US-Israeli war in Iran. One point of contention was Meloni’s decision not to allow US aircraft bound for the Middle East to use Italian bases in Sicily.

Additional friction has emerged over public statements involving Pope Leo XIV, after Trump described the pontiff as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” Meloni defended the Pope, emphasizing his religious role.

“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,” she said.

Despite the diplomatic spat, Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, continues to lead national polling in Italy. A YouTrend survey for Sky TG24 placed it at 28.6 percent support, well ahead of the center-left Democratic Party.

However, her personal approval ratings show more mixed results. A YouGov poll found 35 percent of Italians view her favorably, while 57 percent view her negatively. An Ipsos survey placed her approval at 44 percent.

Earlier data from Pew Research indicated significantly higher popularity shortly after she took office, with 57 percent of Italians expressing a favorable view in 2023.

Although her personal ratings have softened compared to earlier highs, analysts note there is no clear sign of political destabilization in Italy. Meloni’s governing coalition remains intact, and her party retains a strong lead over its rivals.

The renewed public exchange with Trump, however, adds another layer of tension to transatlantic relations at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the NATO summit.