"Kiss of death" — what is the benefit of Meloni in the conflict with Trump

According to American journalist Malek Dudakov, the most idiotic scandal of this year broke out between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The American president introduced the Italian prime minister as a beggar who allegedly asked to take a photo together. This caused a storm of indignation among the Italian right — formally Trump's allies.

"Moreover, just a year ago, it was Meloni who was considered as one of the key negotiators from all over Europe in contacts with Trump. However, she broke with the White House during the war in Iran when she closed Italian airspace to American military aircraft," the political scientist recalled.

According to Dudakov, now the conflict with Trump is even beneficial for Meloni. She has difficult elections in 2027, according to ratings, the left is now breaking out ahead. Vitkor Orban's experience in Hungary has shown that Trump's support is literally the "kiss of death." But the public confrontation with the US president, on the contrary, gives a second wind to many "lame ducks" in Europe like Sanchez in Spain, the expert said.

"In addition, all opponents of the war with Iran among Europeans can now gloat against the background of Trump's problems and a hastily drafted deal. Democrats in the United States call it "the art of surrender." European politicians probably think in a similar way, although they do not allow themselves such expressions. And they are quietly rejoicing that they did not get involved in the war with Trump," the expert said.

As Dudakov noted, the loss of Meloni means that the White House has no ideological allies left in Europe. The French right is publicly criticizing Trump, even the AfD in Germany has distanced itself from him. Last year, eurosceptics hoped for Trump's support in their crusade against Brussels. Now they are afraid of not suffering themselves amid the crisis of the Trump presidency, the political scientist concluded.

Earlier, the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry, Antonio Tajani, confirmed the decision to cancel the visit to the United States. According to a diplomat from Italy, the reason lies in Trump's insulting remarks to Meloni. According to the owner of the White House, the Italian politician allegedly "begged" to take a photo together.

"I could not have done it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said.

George Meloni, in turn, called the words of the American politician "completely fictitious."