United States President Donald Trump on Saturday reiterated his assertion that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had repeatedly requested a selfie with him during the G7 summit in France. Trump, apparently displeased with the reception from European allies regarding the Iran conflict, claimed Meloni's popularity has waned after she denied the United States access to Italian landing strips and runways, causing what he termed "a great logistical inconvenience" for American operations.
These remarks came in response to Meloni accusing Trump of fabricating the story that she had "begged" him for a photograph at the recent G7 meeting. Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to post: "Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia 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 (But so did NATO, for that matter!)."
Declaring the United States victorious in the war against Iran, Trump suggested Meloni now seeks to "be friends again" with the US to boost her approval ratings. He added: "She wouldn't even let us use Italy's landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other 'so-called' NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her 'numbers up.' No thanks!!! President DJT."
Meloni's Strong Denial
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected Trump's claim, accusing him of fabricating the story. She described Trump's comments as "completely made up" and expressed disappointment. Dismissing the claims outright, Meloni stated: "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."
The dispute erupted after Trump, speaking to Italian television channel La7, claimed that Meloni had been eager to be photographed with him during the G7 gathering in France. He also reportedly remarked that Meloni was "probably happy" that he spoke with her at the summit.
Deteriorating Relations
The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who were once seen as close political allies. Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in 2025 and had long been viewed as one of his strongest supporters in Europe. However, Meloni recently publicly criticized Trump after he attacked Pope Leo over the pontiff's condemnation of the Iran conflict. Trump subsequently accused the Italian leader of lacking courage.
