Meloni's feud with Trump is a calculated political move, analyst says

Key Points:

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's escalating feud with former President Donald Trump is seen by analysts as a strategic move to boost her domestic standing amid declining approval ratings ahead of Italy's 2027 general election.
• The conflict intensified after Trump claimed Meloni begged for a photo at the G7 summit, which she strongly denied, leading to a public back-and-forth on social media highlighting tensions between the two leaders.
• Analysts suggest Meloni calculated that confronting Trump publicly would have minimal negative consequences and could enhance her image both domestically and internationally.
• The dispute also reflects a broader strain in US-Italy relations, particularly regarding Italy's refusal to support US efforts against Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Trump criticized sharply.
• Once politically aligned, Meloni and Trump’s relationship has deteriorated, with Meloni now emphasizing defending Italy’s national interests over maintaining close ties with Trump.