Yesterday, Giorgia Meloni spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, one of the most important events on the global conservative scene. Her speech, a hymn to the values of the West, national sovereignty and freedom, struck a chord, winning over the American audience and receiving a standing ovation that testified to the harmony between the Italian leader and the beating heart of Trumpian conservatism.
Meloni opened her speech with a warm welcome, emphasizing her personal connection to CPAC, an event that has seen her as a protagonist in the past and that welcomed her back, this time with the pride of representing Italy as head of government. “An extraordinary nation with a deep and indissoluble bond with the United States”, a relationship cemented by history, shared values and the contribution of Italian-Americans, whom she wanted to thank for being “exceptional ambassadors of Italian passion, creativity and genius”. It is an incipit that not only celebrates transatlantic heritage, but immediately establishes common ground with an audience attentive to issues of identity and tradition.
Meloni’s vision unfolded clearly: an Italy that, under her leadership, is once again occupying a prominent place on the international stage. She rolled out concrete results – employment at historic highs, economic growth, a 60% drop in illegal landings – to dismantle the mainstreampropaganda machine” that predicted an isolated and repressive Italy under a conservative government. “They were wrong,” she declared firmly, and reality is proving her right; a universal message for conservatives at CPAC: the progressive narrative can be refuted by facts, and the courage to pursue one’s own ideas pays off.
The heart of the speech, however, was an impassioned defense of the West as a civilization, not just a geographical space. Meloni drew a line between Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Christian values, defining an identity he considers sacred and inalienable. “We will never have to apologize for this,” she said, arguing forcefully against the cancellation culture and wake ideology that she says the radical left uses to divide and weaken. It is a plea that resonates perfectly with the CPAC audience, which has always spoken out against the drift of political correctness and in favor of a return to the founding principles of Western society.
The harmony with American conservatives was reinforced when Meloni touched on the subject of the relationship between Europe and the United States. Aware of the concerns of those who see Europe as “lost,” she reassured: “It is not.” He acknowledged the mistakes of the globalist elites and the mainstream media, but insisted that Europeans are rediscovering common sense and rewarding conservatives at the ballot box. He then made a direct reference to Vice President JD Vance, defending his Munich speech on identity and security – a speech that had sparked controversy among left-wing elites – and linking it to his vision of a Europe that needs to rediscover its soul. This move not only solidified the bridge with the Trump administration, but also positioned Meloni as a mediator between the two sides of the Atlantic.
Another striking moment was her reference to the situation in Ukraine, which she described as an “unjust aggression” against a people fighting for freedom. Here Meloni reiterated the need for a “just and lasting peace,” which is only possible with “strong leaders” like Donald Trump, whose ability to avoid disasters like the one in Afghanistan in 2021 she praised. It is a message that balances firmness and pragmatism, in line with the approach of the CPAC audience, which favors decisive leadership but not interventionism at all costs.
The speech ended with an invitation to fight: ‘Do we want to go along with the decline or fight it?’ Giorgia – and with her the Italian patriots – has long since made her choice, and the standing ovation she received at the end shows that the CPAC crowd considers her a trusted ally and point of reference. Her ability to combine Italian national pride with a global vision of the West, her rejection of the double standards of the left, and her trust in citizens over elites have resonated with an audience that sees her as an authentic leader, far from the empty rhetoric of progressivism.
Giorgia Meloni yesterday did not just speak at CPAC: she embodied the spirit of a cultural and political struggle that transcends borders. And the thunderous final applause was proof that from Rome to Washington, her voice is heard, understood, and appreciated.
