Journal of Transnational American Studies

This essay examines the possible impact of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency in 2025 on Italian politics, focusing on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the country’s deep-rooted right-wing populism. Framing Italy as both a laboratory and a mirror of global populist trends, the analysis explores Meloni’s alignment with Trump’s rhetoric and domestic policy priorities—particularly on migration and national identity—while also highlighting potential divergences in foreign policy and Italy’s position within the European Union. Drawing on recent political developments, including Meloni’s visit to Washington and Trump’s attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome, the essay argues that Italy’s role in a potential “populist axis” remains contested. It further warns of the domestic repercussions of Trump and Meloni's alignment: rising racism, xenophobia, and the normalization of exclusionary discourse. Ultimately, the piece positions Italy as a crucial case study for understanding the global entrenchment of populist ideologies and the futures of liberal democracy.