Trump escalates feud with Meloni over foreign policy
US President Donald Trump on Saturday intensified a diplomatic dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reiterating claims that she repeatedly sought a photograph with him during the recent G7 summit in France. In a post on Truth Social, Trump alleged that Meloni's actions were a desperate attempt to boost her domestic popularity, asserting she is 'doing poorly in Italy' and trying to pivot back to him for political gain.
Trump expressed grievances over Italy's foreign policy, particularly its stance on the US military conflict with Iran. He criticized Meloni for refusing to support American objectives, including denying US access to Italian airfields and runways for military operations. '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,' Trump wrote.
He further claimed that the US contributes hundreds of billions of dollars annually to protect Italy and other NATO allies. 'She wouldn't even let us use Italy's landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her numbers up. No thanks!!!' Trump added.
Meloni's sharp rebuttal
Earlier on Friday, Meloni issued a swift rebuttal, dismissing Trump's remarks in a self-recorded video shared on X. 'I am shocked by Trump's utterly fabricated words. Certain things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are totally invented. I am frankly appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies,' she said.
Meloni criticized Trump for his diplomatic priorities, stating, 'It is a shame he doesn't have the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward whom he instead proves to be much more accommodating.' She concluded with a firm assertion of national dignity: 'There is one thing he must remember: Italy and I never beg.'
Diplomatic fallout
Following the exchange, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled his planned visit to the US, scheduled for June 21 and 22. In a post on X, Tajani condemned Trump's remarks as 'offensive' and an insult to all of Italy. 'The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States,' he wrote.
The tension stems from a previous interview Trump gave to Italian broadcaster La7, in which he claimed Meloni had begged for a photo during the G7 summit and that he agreed only because he 'felt sorry for her.' The comments have triggered widespread condemnation across the Italian political spectrum, adversely impacting ties between the two leaders.
