Trump's post before NATO Summit set to infuriate Meloni

Ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Turkey this week, a new social media post that could escalate tensions between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become a hot topic.

Trump shared a photo on his Truth Social account in which he appears to be facing off against Meloni. The phrase “Restraining order needed” was placed over the image. “Restraining order needed” is the translation of the phrase.

According to the Italian press, the post has sparked a political reaction in Rome. The newspaper Corriere della Sera wrote that the post in question is being evaluated as a new outburst by Trump directed at Meloni. The newspaper drew attention to the fact that the post came just before the NATO Summit in Ankara.

The dispute between the two leaders had previously come to the agenda during the G7 Summit. During the summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 19, Trump claimed in an interview that Meloni had practically begged to take a photo with him.

Meloni, however, vehemently denied this claim, describing the statement as “completely fabricated.” The Italian Prime Minister reacted by saying, “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

Following the controversy, it was reported that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had canceled a planned visit to the US in response to the remarks, which were considered “serious and offensive” in Rome. The latest post has brought the tension on the Washington-Rome line back to the forefront ahead of the NATO Summit.