Meloni’s gesture toward Trump: Is Rome-Washington harmony at risk?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s emphatic gesture—pointing her index finger at Donald Trump during a G7 break—may have strained relations between the two leaders. The video, released without U.S. consent, and social media comments praising her defiance likely irked Trump.
Italians are known for their expressive gestures, but one particular move at the G7 summit may have damaged the rapport between U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. A video clip shows Meloni, during a break in the meetings, speaking with Trump while raising her index finger and sharply pointing at him, as if firmly defending her viewpoint.
The few-second footage was made public without Washington’s permission. To Trump, it could have appeared not merely insistent but even angry or hostile. Social media users’ comments describing Meloni as someone who can “stand up to” Trump likely added to his displeasure.
Since Trump’s return to the White House, Meloni had tried to position herself as a bridge between Washington and Europe. This effort has not succeeded, and paradoxically she now finds herself cast as a U.S. adversary. She had even sought a foreword from Trump for her book. In her attempts to curry favor, she did not protest Trump’s tariffs, described the capture of Venezuela’s leader as “legitimate,” and did not object to the lack of warning before the strike on Iran.
Meloni was the only EU head of government at Trump’s inauguration last year. In Davos, Trump indirectly suggested that personal ties with Meloni could lead to an exemption for Italy from U.S. tariffs aimed at the EU. However, the threatened tariffs later rose to 30%, confirming that good relations with Trump did not shield Italy from economic pressure.
