Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s escalating feud with President Donald Trump is a calculated political strategy to boost her standing at home, according to a leading Italian political analyst.

Background

The diplomatic dispute began when Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was scrapping a trip to Washington, where he had been scheduled to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump claimed Meloni had asked for a photograph with him at the G7 summit and that he agreed only out of pity. Meloni fired back, releasing a video statement rejecting the president’s narrative.

The feud intensified when Trump doubled down on his claims on social media, tying the row directly to Meloni’s political fortunes. Meloni responded, saying her popularity depends on her ability to defend Italy’s national interest.

Analysis

Analysts say Meloni may see little downside in confronting Trump, particularly as she faces declining approval ratings ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election. The opportunity to counter a president unpopular in Europe and Italy helps bolster her approval ratings and allows her to build European solidarity.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.