Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remained silent on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump shared a manipulated image of her on social media, prompting fresh political debate ahead of a major NATO gathering.
Trump posted the altered image on his Truth Social platform, depicting Meloni looking admiringly at him, alongside the caption, “Restraining Order Needed.”
The post quickly sparked reactions in Italy, coming just days before NATO leaders are scheduled to meet for crucial alliance discussions.
Despite the controversy, senior Italian officials avoided direct confrontation and instead emphasized the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic relations.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said relationships between nations must remain strong regardless of changes in political leadership.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also downplayed the incident, insisting that cooperation between Europe and the United States extends far beyond individual remarks.
Meloni chose not to publicly address the latest post, continuing a strategy of restraint despite repeated criticism from Trump.
The former U.S. president has previously targeted the Italian leader, including comments following the recent G7 summit where he claimed Meloni had sought a photo opportunity with him.
Trump also alleged that Italy’s leader was attempting to improve ties with Washington for domestic political reasons after Rome declined to support U.S. action against Iran.
Meloni had earlier responded sharply to those claims, describing the repeated attacks as unnecessary and unprovoked.
Relations between the two conservative figures have cooled in recent months, despite earlier expectations that Meloni could serve as a bridge between Europe and Trump’s political movement.
The latest episode comes as Trump intensifies criticism of European NATO members, adding tension to discussions surrounding the alliance’s future priorities.
Italian officials, however, continue to stress that long-standing diplomatic and security partnerships are stronger than personal disputes and should remain the focus of international cooperation.
