Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump appear to be solidifying a budding political alliance, marked by mutual admiration and shared affinities. On Thursday evening, Meloni publicly acknowledged a recent endorsement by the U.S. president-elect by reposting a video of Trump’s comments about her, while thanking him for his “kind words.”
This exchange is the latest sign of camaraderie between Meloni and Trump, as the Italian prime minister aligns herself with the incoming U.S. administration. Recently named POLITICO’s most powerful person in Europe — due in part to her role as a potential bridge between the European Union and Trump’s White House — Meloni seems poised to play a pivotal role in transatlantic relations moving forward.
In fact, Meloni was one of the first European leaders to extend congratulations to Trump following his election victory in November. The pair also spent significant time together during an event in Paris last weekend for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, during which Trump reportedly described her as a “real live wire.”
The rapport between the two isn’t entirely surprising, given their shared political leanings and mutual connections, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, a key Trump ally and owner of X (formerly Twitter). Musk lavished praise on Meloni during an awards ceremony in September, repeatedly calling her “beautiful.” While this sparked speculation about a possible romantic link between the two, Musk has firmly denied the rumors.
However, not everyone within Trump’s circle views Meloni as favorably. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon recently criticized Meloni for her perceived attempts to appeal to centrist elements in Brussels. Bannon, a staunch supporter of populist right-wing politics, suggested this tactic could undermine her relevance with Trump’s incoming administration.
As Trump prepares to take office, it remains to be seen how Meloni’s balancing act between the European Union and Washington will unfold — and whether her position as a transatlantic intermediary will strengthen or strain her burgeoning relationship with America’s new leadership.
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