After condemning Pope Leo XIV, U.S. President Donald Trump turned his anger toward Meloni, one of his long-standing closest European allies.

As the only EU leader invited to Trump’s second inauguration, Meloni was expected to leverage her strong relationship with Trump following his return to the White House 15 months ago. The two are seen as natural allies due to their similar hardline stances on nationalism and immigration.

But Italy has not been spared the pain of Trump’s tariffs, and some might say she has gained almost nothing from this relationship.

Meloni now did not directly respond to Trump’s attacks. However, as she recovers from last month’s decisive referendum defeat and attempts to downplay the impact of the deeply unpopular war with Iran, including rising energy prices. These factors could work in her favor.