During a press conference held in Ankara, Turkey, Donald Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone towards Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, describing her as "a good person, actually."
This change in rhetoric came just a day after Trump shared a mocking meme on Truth Social with the caption "A restraining order is needed."
The U.S. President's comments were made in response to a direct inquiry from a journalist.
When asked by a reporter to clarify the meaning of the restraining order meme, Trump responded with an ambiguous air:
"Oh, I don't know. I think she's a good person, actually. We had a bad relationship that soured a bit because she refused to help us. I didn't push her too hard. But she refused to get involved with Iran, refused to get involved. As you can imagine, that didn't please me."
Trump emphasized that the estrangement was not due to any failed pressure from his side, but rather a unilateral choice by Rome:
"It strained my relationship with her a bit, but I like her. I think she's a good person, actually, but I believe she made a mistake."
He concluded with a statement he repeated twice to the journalists:
"She simply wasn't with us, and I didn't like that. As you can imagine, I didn't like that."
Historical Tensions between Trump and Meloni
The friction between Trump and Meloni has been ongoing for several months. Back in April 2026, Trump labeled her as "unacceptable" in Corriere della Sera after she defended Pope Leo XIV, who opposed the war against Iran.
In June, Trump claimed that Meloni had "pleaded" for a photo at the G7 summit in Évian, an accusation she vehemently denied: "Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated, and I am frankly astonished. Neither I nor Italy ever begged."
On June 20, Trump dismissed any possibility of reconciliation:
"Now, after the United States has militarily defeated Iran, she wants to be friends again to boost her numbers. No, thank you!"
Meloni responded, "My popularity is none of your business. I suggest focusing on your own."
The Ankara summit marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the crisis erupted.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, accompanying Meloni in Turkey, summed up Rome's stance:
"People come and go, but maintaining relations with the U.S. is crucial. It is vital to keep ties with such an important ally."
Key Questions about Trump and Meloni's Relationship
Why did Trump describe Giorgia Meloni as a "good person"?
Trump described Meloni as a "good person" during a press conference in Ankara, indicating a shift from his previous critical stance towards her. This was in response to a journalist's question about a meme he had posted mocking her.
What was the nature of the tension between Trump and Meloni?
The tension between Trump and Meloni stems from various incidents, including Meloni's defense of Pope Leo XIV's stance against the war on Iran and Trump's claim that she had begged for a photo opportunity, which she denied.
How did the Italian Defense Minister respond to the Trump-Meloni situation?
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations with the United States, stating that while individuals may change, the relationship with such a significant ally should remain intact.