Donald Trump just couldn’t let it go.
Weeks after his bizarre public spat with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to fizzle out, the president reignited the feud Sunday with another swipe on Truth Social—prompting critics online to wonder why he’s still so fixated on one of America’s closest allies.
As part of a rapid-fire stream of posts and reposts, Trump shared a photo from last month’s G7 summit showing Meloni looking up at him during a conversation.
His caption? “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED.”
The post appeared to suggest that Meloni is somehow obsessed with him—a claim that immediately drew ridicule across social media.
The latest jab is just the newest chapter in an increasingly strange back-and-forth between the two leaders.
The feud began after Trump claimed Meloni had practically begged him for a photograph during the G7 summit.
“She wanted a picture with me so badly,” Trump said at the time. “I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
Meloni wasn’t having it.
In a video posted online, the Italian prime minister flatly rejected Trump’s version of events.
“Italy and I do not beg,” she said, calling his account “completely fabricated.”
The dispute quickly escalated beyond hurt feelings.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to the United States in protest, describing Trump’s remarks as “serious and offensive.”
Rather than backing down, Trump doubled down.
He later insisted Meloni had repeatedly asked for a photo and told NBC News she was “a big fan” of his. He also claimed she wanted the picture because her popularity in Italy was slipping.
Meloni responded with a sharp dismissal.
“My popularity is none of your concern,” she said. “I suggest you focus on yours.”
For a couple of weeks, the public sparring appeared to be over.
Then came Sunday’s “restraining order” post.
Meloni has not publicly responded, but plenty of people online did.
The backlash on X was swift.
“Desperate much?” one user wrote.
Republicans Against Trump called the president “f–king nuts.”
Another commenter suggested, “Padded cell needed!”
Others argued Trump’s latest post only underscored who had actually moved on.
“You know Trump lost the feud with Meloni because he’s still going after [her] and she just addressed him once,” one user wrote.
Another accused Trump of trying to cast himself as the victim.
“This is how men who abuse women act. They pretend like they’re the victim.”
Others saw a broader diplomatic problem.
“He’s determined to destroy all our most valuable alliances. Putin is pleased,” the New Lincoln Party posted.
Whether Meloni decides to respond this time remains to be seen.
But the bigger question is why the president of the United States is still spending time taking public shots at the leader of one of America’s closest allies.
