Meloni and Trump’s cooling relationship marks the failure of an EU-MAGA middle ground

Italy’s right-wing leader was once seen as Trump’s main ally in Western Europe – but not so anymore.

By: Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Colorado State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 24, 2026

Words: 1,278

Last Updated: 3 months ago

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By Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Colorado State University

As recently as October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump was heaping praise on Giorgia Meloni, telling the Italian prime minister how “beautiful” she was.

But what once looked like a political romance based on equal parts ideological alignment and strategic convenience is now reading like a classic breakup story.

In an interview on April 14, 2026, Trump lashed out at his former European ally. “I thought she …

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