US President Donald Trump has intensified a public feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the days before a NATO summit in Turkey, posting a photo of her on Truth Social with the caption "RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED". The spat matters because Meloni has been one of Trump's closest allies in Europe, and the friction signals wider strains in transatlantic relations at a moment when the alliance is grappling with issues including Iran, Ukraine and defence spending.

The dispute began in June when Trump claimed at the G7 that Meloni had "begged" him for a photo, saying he took it only because he "felt sorry for her". Meloni rejected the account, retorting that "neither I nor Italy ever beg" and criticising Trump for treating the West's enemies with greater "indulgence" than its allies. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani played down the row, insisting transatlantic ties "go far beyond individual statements". No US–Italy bilateral meeting is scheduled in Turkey, though the two leaders may cross paths at summit dinners and sessions.