Trump criticizes Italy's Meloni over Iran stance ahead of NATO summit

In early July 2026, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying she is a "nice person" but blaming her for not supporting U.S. actions regarding Iran. Trump claimed their relationship had "soured" over the issue, and that Italy was not there for the U.S. on Iran. The remarks came just before a NATO summit, where allies were expected to discuss security and defense matters.

Meloni sought to avoid an escalation, while Spanish politician Santiago Abascal defended her, saying Trump should not treat allies like "vassals." Some European media reported that Belgium had expelled Trump, though the context of that claim was not clear from the headlines. The main story is Trump reviving a personal feud with Meloni over Iran policy, drawing reactions from her and other European leaders.