US president’s feedback escalate a row between the once-close leaders that has emerged in the course of the battle with Iran.
Printed On 20 Jun 2026
United States President Donald Trump has doubled down on criticism of Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming she repeatedly sought picture alternatives with him on the recent G7 summit to bolster her home recognition.
Trump’s newest feedback in a publish on Reality Social on Saturday deepen a private row between Trump and the right-wing Italian chief, who was lengthy seen as one of many US president’s high allies in Europe.
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Trump had initially informed Italian media on Thursday that Meloni “begged” him for an image on the G7 summit in France, saying he agreed solely as a result of he “felt sorry for her”.
Meloni responded that she was “shocked” by the “made-up” declare.
However Trump fired again in his Saturday publish, saying the Italian prime minister had requested “time and again” for {a photograph}.
He accused her of making an attempt to restore relations with Washington for home political causes after Italy didn’t assist US motion towards Iran.
“Now, after the USA defeated Iran militarily, she needs to be pals once more as a way to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” Trump wrote.
Meloni rejected Trump’s newest remarks on Saturday.
“President Trump, these fixed, unprovoked assaults are mindless,” Meloni mentioned on social media platform Instagram. “My recognition depends upon my means to defend Italy’s nationwide curiosity, and that’s precisely what I’ve all the time achieved,” she added.
In his publish, Trump additionally revived his long-running criticism that the US spends closely to guard “so-called” NATO allies, saying Washington contributes tons of of billions of {dollars} to defend Italy and others.
The remarks have been a pointy escalation of a dispute that had already triggered anger in Rome.
Italian Overseas Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the US over the row, saying on Friday that Trump’s “grave and offensive” phrases in direction of Meloni “offend the entire of Italy”.
Trump reveals ‘extra deference to adversaries’
Meloni, who leads Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy get together, has accused Trump of displaying extra deference to the West’s adversaries than to its companions.
“I don’t know why the president of the USA behaves this fashion together with his personal allies,” she mentioned in a video posted on X in response to Trump’s authentic feedback.
“It’s regrettable that he doesn’t present the identical dedication towards the enemies of the West and the USA – towards leaderships with whom he truly proves to be far more accommodating,” she continued.
Meloni had spent months cultivating close ties with Trump whereas making an attempt to reassure European allies cautious of his second time period.
She had mentioned on the finish of the G7 summit in Evian that the ambiance had been “very constructive” and that there was “no friction” between Trump and different leaders.
However relations between the 2 had already deteriorated in the course of the battle with Iran.
Trump turned on Meloni in April after she defended Pope Leo XIV from his criticism of the pontiff’s antiwar views. “I assumed she had braveness, however I used to be fallacious,” Trump informed Italian media on the time, including that it was “very mentioned” that Meloni “doesn’t need to assist eliminate a nuclear-weaponed Iran”.
