Circo Massimo – Lo spettacolo della politica

Episode: La pace in Medioriente e la ’ubris’ di Trump e Meloni
Host: Massimo Giannini
Date: October 14, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Massimo Giannini analyzes the recent ceasefire agreement in the Middle East, focusing on the roles of Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni. He offers a skeptical and nuanced take on the so-called “historic day,” questioning triumphal narratives and warning of the underlying fragility of the peace achieved. Giannini reflects on the ongoing tragedy between Israelis and Palestinians, critiques Trump’s claims to glory, and warns against political hubris (or “hubris”) both in the US and Italy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Historic Day” in the Middle East (00:26–02:35)

• Giannini opens reflecting on the gravity of the moment:

  “Ci sono giornate che fanno la storia. Sembra una frase fatta, ma poi la storia a un certo punto irrompe davvero. Ieri è stato uno di quei giorni.” (00:26)

• He emphasizes the depth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, referencing decades of failed peace negotiations and ongoing suffering:
  • Mentions the pain of both Israeli and Palestinian families, with thousands of victims on each side.
  • Skeptical about lasting peace given the history and absence of genuine reconciliation at current talks (e.g., no handshake at Sharm el-Sheikh).
  • The ceasefire rests precariously between “un governo criminale e incostituzionale” (Netanyahu's cabinet) and “Hamas, galassia del terrore inaffidabile e inafferrabile”.

2. Trump’s “Showman” Diplomacy and Its Limits (02:36–08:16)

• Describes Trump’s arrival in Israel as a performance:

  “Donald Trump arriva in Israele. accolto con tutti gli onori come se fosse lui il vero capo di stato di quel paese... Trump domina la scena ed ha ragione a farlo perché questa volta è lui il vero indiscusso protagonista di questo cessate il fuoco.” (02:36)

• Notes that, despite Trump achieving what Biden could not—namely, a tenuous ceasefire—his style remains transactional and self-aggrandizing:
  • Trump’s “dispositivo shock and awe”—overwhelming and disorienting—paired with a businesslike, mercantile logic:

    “Lo ha fatto imbrogliando la sua maniera, la pace eterna travestita da performance più evento televisivo che processo collettivo.” (03:45)

  • Skirts the real issue: no steps toward a Palestinian state, which Trump openly dismisses.
  • Giannini reminds listeners that Netanyahu’s support base, and the wider circumstances, have not shifted—merely their media presentation.

3. “Pace dei ricchi” and Exclusion of Palestinians (08:17–10:53)

• Recalls David Grossman’s critique of the 2020 Abraham Accords as the “peace of the rich”, reinforcing regional inequalities.
• Hamas remains excluded, with the 2023-2025 violence and atrocities cementing tragedy and distrust:

  “E certo, oggi esultiamo tutti per questo risultato... Tuttavia, anche qua, sono spariti completamente i palestinesi.” (09:47)

• Subtle warning about treating the ceasefire as a definitive peace, erasing Palestinian suffering and rights from the narrative.

4. The Danger of Hubris—Trump and Meloni (10:54–13:12)

• Giannini criticizes Trump’s and Netanyahu’s mutual self-congratulations in the Knesset, noting their complete disregard for ongoing Palestinian suffering:
  • Quote of Trump directly to Netanyahu:

    “Bibi hai vinto tu” (11:54)

  • Trump’s suggestion to Herzog to simply “give him a pardon and resolve his judicial problems,” as if by magic (12:17).
  • Netanyahu reciprocates, declaring Trump “il miglior amico di sempre di Israele tra tutti i presidenti americani.”
• Giannini asserts that such moments display classic political “hubris”—playing at omnipotence, disregarding the other side:
  • Calls attention to the perils of ignoring the possibility of renewed violence, even after this apparent breakthrough.

5. False Equivalencies and Asymmetrical Suffering (13:13–16:07)

• While recognizing the emotional power of hostages’ release, Giannini scolds both sides for selective empathy:
  • Cites statements from Hamas about torture in Israeli prisons, while noting the group’s own “tagliagole” brutality against Israeli captives.
  • Warns the “historic dawn” could become “crepuscolo” (dusk/twilight) at any minute without prudence.

    “Questa alba storica dopo 3.000 anni di guerra, come ha detto Donald Trump, in realtà può diventare un crepuscolo da un momento all'altro.” (15:45)

6. Meloni, Italy, and European “Co-primacy” (16:08–16:57)

• Skeptical about Giorgia Meloni’s attempts to claim a special role in the peace process:
  • Trump refers to her as “una donna bellissima” and “la sorella d'Italia”, but Giannini dismisses such moments as theatrical.
  • Meloni’s visible presence matters diplomatically for Italy, but Giannini warns against overstating Italy’s role:

    “Tra il bue Trump e la mosca Meloni, non ci sono dubbi su chi abbia davvero trainato l'aratro.” (16:54)

7. Closing Thoughts—Sobriety and Cautious Optimism (16:58–End)

• Calls for humility and rigor in reporting and political behavior:

  “Evitiamo di impancarci a maestri della trattativa, evitiamo di attribuire a noi stessi un merito...” (17:12)

• Recognizes the symbolic importance of international participation but frames Trump as the only true protagonist of the deal:

  “Il merito ce l'ha Trump e questo è un dato oggettivo.”

• Ends with a parable: Meloni and Europe risk playing the part of “la mosca sull’aratro” (the fly sitting on the ox's horn, pretending to plow).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the theatricality of diplomacy:

  “La pace eterna travestita da performance, più evento televisivo che processo collettivo.” (03:45)

• On Israeli-Palestinian suffering:

  “68.000 palestinesi innocenti sterminati nella striscia... dopo 734 giorni di mattanza.” (01:50)

• On political hubris:

  “Qui, davvero, bisogna stare attenti a non peccare di Ibris, come invece Trump ha inevitabilmente fatto parlando nell'emiciclo della Knesset.” (11:39)

• On Italy’s role:

  “Tra il bue Trump e la mosca Meloni, non ci sono dubbi su chi abbia davvero trainato l'aratro.” (16:54)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:26 — Opening reflection: The weight of recent events, ongoing suffering in the conflict
• 02:36 — Trump’s “performance” in Israel and as ceasefire broker
• 08:17 — “Pace dei ricchi”: The Abraham Accords, exclusion of Palestinians
• 09:47 — Media and leaders erase Palestinian perspective
• 11:54 — Trump's direct address to Netanyahu and Herzog
• 13:13 — Hostages’ return and selective memory
• 15:45 — “Alba storica” may quickly fade
• 16:54 — Parable of Trump (the ox) and Meloni (the fly)

Tone

Giannini’s style is incisive and caustic, interweaving irony, bitterness, and skepticism. He adopts a critical perspective toward political leaders’ self-celebration, foregrounding the deeply unequal and unresolved nature of the conflict, and the precariousness of any “peace” built on spectacle rather than substance.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a thorough, quote-rich overview of the episode’s central debates and narrative.