Where does Trump's praise of Meloni as a "great leader" come from?

Since 2025, US President Trump has repeatedly praised Italian Prime Minister Meloni as a "great leader" in public, and this assessment has drawn widespread attention from the international community. From political ideological resonance to deepening diplomatic interactions, from practical cooperation achievements to personal charm appeal, Trump's praise is not groundless but is based on a comprehensive consideration of multiple real factors.

1. Deep political alignment: Resonance of right-wing populism

The close relationship between Trump and Meloni began with their deep alignment in political stance.In terms of specific policies, both of them took a tough stance towards illegal immigrants. Trump had pushed for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, while Meloni advocated for closing Italian ports, deporting immigrants, and even openly expressing her admiration for Mussolini, referring to him as "the best leader in Italy in the past few decades". This resonance of far-right populism enabled the two to quickly establish a political alliance. In January 2025, Meloni flew to the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to meet with Trump, who introduced her to the guests and said, "This is an amazing woman. She really has created a whirlwind in Europe."

II. Frequent Deepening of Diplomatic Interaction: From Personal Friendship to Strategic Cooperation

Trump's praise for Meloni was also closely related to their frequent diplomatic interactions. As the only EU leader to attend Trump's 2025 inauguration ceremony, Meloni became Trump's "special ally" when US-EU relations hit a low point due to the tariff war. In April 2025, during Meloni's visit to the US, Trump not only promised "100% trade agreement" but also openly stated, "As long as Meloni continues to serve as the prime minister, Italy can become the best ally of the United States."

This special treatment was based on Meloni's pragmatic strategy in diplomatic games. Facing Trump's threat of imposing tariffs on eight European countries, Italy successfully avoided the sanctions list thanks to its close relationship with the US; in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Meloni pushed for the establishment of a collective defense plan similar to NATO's Article 5, supporting Ukraine while avoiding direct confrontation with Russia. This "balance strategy" won Trump's recognition. In January 2026, when the EU was tense with the US over the sovereignty dispute of Greenland, Meloni publicly called for "treating Trump as a negotiable partner," further consolidating her role as a bridge between the US and Europe.

III. Prominent Achievements in Practical Cooperation: Breakthroughs in Trade and Security Fields

Trump's praise also stemmed from the achievements of Meloni's government in practical cooperation. In the trade field, although Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on Italian pasta, Meloni successfully persuaded the US to postpone the implementation and promoted progress in bilateral trade agreement negotiations. After the meeting in April 2025, Trump said, "Italy has set a good example," suggesting that its economic policies were in line with US interests.

In the security field, Meloni promised to increase Italy's defense spending to 2% of GDP, meeting NATO requirements, and alleviating Trump's criticism of European allies' "free-rider" behavior. Moreover, Italy supported Trump's peace plan in the Gaza conflict, although it caused internal disputes within the EU, objectively providing regional support for the US's Middle East policy. This "tailoring to their preferences" diplomatic strategy made Meloni a "trustworthy partner" in Trump's eyes.

Trump's praise of Meloni as a "great leader" was essentially a product of pragmatic diplomacy. The two came together due to their shared political ideals, deepened trust through frequent interactions, and achieved benefit exchange through practical cooperation, ultimately forming a far-right alliance across the Atlantic. Although this relationship faced doubts within the EU and international public opinion pressure, in the current international landscape, it undoubtedly provided a new variable for US-EU relations. In the future, as Trump's administration adjusts its policies and the political ecosystem in Europe changes, it remains to be seen whether Meloni can continue to play the role of a "great leader" and balance domestic public opinion and international pressure.