Trump Calls Italian PM Giorgia Meloni 'Unacceptable' After Pope Dispute

Donald Trump turned against one of his closest European allies this week, calling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "unacceptable" after she criticized his public feud with Pope Leo XIV.

The break marks a dramatic shift in their relationship. Meloni, who leads Italy's far-right government, was once Trump's strongest supporter in Europe. She made a special trip to his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and was the only European leader to attend certain Trump events.

But the relationship soured over two key issues. Meloni criticized Trump's war policies in Iran and spoke out against his public attacks on the Pope. Trump's association with Meloni had also become politically toxic for her at home, where Trump is deeply unpopular and blamed for rising gas prices.

Sources suggest Meloni seized the opportunity to distance herself from Trump after suffering major political setbacks because of their relationship. The Italian leader looked uncomfortable in recent meetings but had worked hard to maintain the alliance until now.