Trump Slams Meloni as “Lacking Courage” Over Refusal to Back Iran War
Donald Trump has turned on one of his closest European allies, publicly attacking Italy’s prime minister as tensions over the Iran war spill into open conflict.
Trump said Giorgia Meloni “lacks courage” for refusing to support U.S.-Israel military action, escalating a dispute that now includes the Vatican and broader Western alliances. The comments mark a sharp break in what had been a closely aligned relationship.
The clash began after Meloni criticized Trump’s verbal attacks on Pope Leo XIV, calling them “unacceptable,” according to Reuters. The pope has been outspoken against the war, warning that “God does not bless any conflict,” placing him at odds with Trump’s stance.
Trump responded by questioning Meloni’s leadership and accusing her of failing to confront Iran’s threat, while also doubling down on his criticism of the pope. The exchange has quickly widened into a three-way political and moral confrontation.
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“I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” Trump said in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
The fallout matters beyond rhetoric. Italy has resisted deeper military involvement and is facing rising domestic pressure tied to energy costs and political instability linked to the conflict. Analysts say the dispute reflects a broader fracture among U.S. allies, with several countries hesitating to fully align with Washington’s Iran strategy.
It also raises questions about NATO cohesion, as disagreements over the war spill into public view and strain previously stable partnerships.
What happens next will likely depend on whether diplomatic channels can contain the fallout, or if the divide expands to other European leaders already signaling unease.
For now, a once-solid alliance is showing visible cracks.
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