European leaders unite behind Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that sparked criticism within Europe. Both accounts describe Trump questioning Italy’s reliability as a wartime ally and alleging that Meloni “grovelled” for his attention. In response, European leaders close ranks around Meloni, signaling support despite earlier tensions. One outlet notes that the move is part of a broader pattern in which Trump’s comments are contributing to greater alignment among European governments, even when their political views differ. Another account adds that the response also reflects a thawing of a previously frosty relationship, tied to concerns about Meloni’s hard-right political background. Taken together, the reports characterize Trump’s exchange as a catalyst for solidarity among European leaders toward Italy’s government. The episode underscores the impact of U.S.-European political rhetoric on intra-European coordination, with leaders choosing a common stance in defense of Meloni and Italy’s standing as an ally.