Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump exchanged fresh barbs on Saturday, escalating a public rift that is straining one of Europe’s closest relationships with Washington.
Controversy between the two leaders started earlier this week when Trump claimed Meloni begged him for a photo together at the G-7 summit in France.
“She begged me to take a photo with her. She wanted a photo with me so badly — I could have skipped it, but I felt sorry for her,” Trump had said.
Meloni said she was “stunned” by Trump’s “made-up” comments and criticised the US president’s approach to diplomacy.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his own allies,” Meloni said.
“It’s not, after all, the first time this has happened.”
However, on Saturday, Trump doubled down on his claim, saying: “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.”
“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon,” he added.
The US-Italy relationship has come under growing strain in recent months over disagreements linked to the conflict in Iran.
In March, Italy denied permission for US military aircraft to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East, because Washington had not sought prior authorisation from the government in Rome.
In his Truth Social post, Trump referenced Italy’s earlier refusal, saying it came despite what he described as the US’ substantial financial contributions to Italy’s security and to NATO more broadly.
“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up’,” Trump said.
‘BEING YOUR FRIEND NOT HELPFUL’
Responding in an Instagram post, Meloni told Trump, “these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless”.
“As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” she added.
“That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister.
“Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
One Italian newspaper used a derogatory term to describe Trump on its front-page on Saturday.
Earlier this year, Meloni criticised Trump after he lashed out at Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s condemnation of the Iran war.
Trump responded by accusing the Italian prime minister of lacking courage.
