Recent friction between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni does not appear to have dented the high regard the Italian Prime Minister enjoys in the United States. This was confirmed by Anita Bevacqua McBride, Vice President of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and a veteran figure within the Republican Party, having previously served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. "I am very sorry, but differences of opinion do happen between leaders," McBride told Repubblica. "To put things into perspective, we should also remember the alarm raised by President Biden when Meloni was elected, with whom she subsequently built an excellent relationship."
McBride defended the Premier’s firm stance, emphasizing that Meloni’s unwavering determination to protect her country is precisely one of the strengths that made her popular in Italy. "She does not fear challenging what she believes is unfair," she added. Regarding Trump’s recent attacks on Pope Leo XIV, McBride noted that "it is never wise to attack the pastor of over a billion Catholics." Finally, she ruled out long-term damage to bilateral relations between Rome and Washington, expressing confidence that the ceasefire in Iran and Italy’s ongoing peace efforts will help overcome disagreements regarding the use of military bases.