Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has sharply rebuked US President Donald Trump as an increasingly public dispute between the two leaders deepened over Iran, military cooperation and personal remarks.
The latest exchange began after Trump questioned Meloni’s standing at home and repeated his claim that she had repeatedly sought a photograph with him.
Speaking on Saturday, Trump said the Italian prime minister was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity”. He also accused her of failing to support US efforts to prevent Iran “from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon”.
In a post on Instagram, Meloni dismissed what she described as Trump’s “constant, unprovoked attacks”, calling them “senseless”.
“As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you,” said Meloni.
“My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she added.
Earlier, Trump had also accused Meloni of causing “a great logistical inconvenience” by preventing the United States from using Italian air facilities for military operations against Iran.
However, the Italian leader defended her government’s position, saying the use of Italian bases “is government by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister”.
The war of words follows comments made by Trump during a phone interview with Italy’s La7 television channel after the recent G7 Summit in France.
Trump alleged: “She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her.”
“She’s probably happy I spoke to her,” he added.
Responding in an Instagram video on Friday, Meloni said she was “frankly stunned” by the remarks.
“I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards allies,” she said.
“But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg,” she added.
The dispute has exposed a growing strain in relations between Washington and Rome following Trump’s military action against Iran earlier this year.
The fallout has already had diplomatic consequences, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelling a planned trip to the United States next week.
The public clash comes despite the pair previously enjoying close political ties. Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, and the two were photographed in conversation during the G7 summit.
After that meeting, Meloni told reporters there had been “no recriminations” and that their relationship remained unchanged.
The latest disagreement is not the first between the leaders. Earlier this year, Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy” before later saying he was “not a big fan”.
Meloni condemned those comments at the time, calling them “unacceptable”.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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