U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accusing her of lacking courage and failing to support Washington during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
In an interview published Tuesday by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump delivered a blunt rebuke to one of his previously close European allies.
“I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage. I was wrong,” Trump said in the Italian-language interview.
Meloni had been a vocal supporter of Trump but distanced herself from the U.S. leader after he launched military action against Iran in February. Tensions escalated further on Monday when she criticised Trump for verbally attacking Pope Leo XIV, calling the remarks “unacceptable.”
Trump responded by accusing the Italian leader of failing to support U.S. efforts to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked amid the escalating conflict.
The White House declined to comment on Trump’s remarks, and Meloni’s office also avoided direct comment. However, Italian political figures quickly rallied to her defence.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, leader of the Forza Italia party, said Italy remained committed to strong ties with the United States but emphasised that alliances must be built on mutual respect.
“We are, and will remain, sincere supporters of Western unity and steadfast allies of the United States,” Tajani said, praising Meloni for defending the pope.
He added that her condemnation of Trump’s remarks about Pope Leo XIV reflected the views of many Italians.
Trump’s criticism marks a dramatic shift in tone toward Meloni. She was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025, and he had described her as “a great leader” just a month earlier.
During the interview, Trump also accused Meloni of failing to support U.S. efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ensure energy flows through the Gulf region.
“She is the one who is unacceptable, because she does not care whether Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow Italy up in two minutes if it had the chance,” Trump said.
The dispute comes at a challenging time for Meloni’s government. She recently lost a key referendum on judicial reform and saw political ally Viktor Orbán lose power in Hungary.
The broader conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has also raised concerns in Europe about rising energy prices and economic instability.
In an apparent effort to distance Italy from the war, Meloni refused last month to allow U.S. fighter jets to use an airbase in Sicily for combat operations in Iran. On Tuesday, she also suspended a military cooperation pact with Israel.
Trump argued that Italy’s heavy dependence on imported oil and gas should have prompted stronger support for efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“They pay the highest energy costs in the world and are not even ready to fight for the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said, adding that Italy relies on the United States to keep the vital shipping route open.
