US president’s feedback escalate a row between the once-close leaders that has emerged through the battle with Iran.
Revealed 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 current G7 summit to bolster her home reputation.
Trump’s newest feedback in a submit 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 “surprised” by the “made-up” declare.
However Trump fired again in his Saturday submit, saying the Italian prime minister had requested “again and again” for {a photograph}.
He accused her of attempting to restore relations with Washington for home political causes after Italy did not assist US motion in opposition to Iran.
“Now, after america defeated Iran militarily, she needs to be buddies once more so as 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 reputation is determined by my capacity to defend Italy’s nationwide curiosity, and that’s precisely what I’ve all the time finished,” she added.
In his submit, Trump additionally revived his long-running grievance that the US spends closely to guard “so-called” NATO allies, saying Washington contributes lots 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 deliberate go to to the US over the row, saying on Friday that Trump’s “grave and offensive” phrases in the direction of Meloni “offend the entire of Italy”.
Trump exhibits ‘extra deference to adversaries’
Meloni, who leads Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy celebration, has accused Trump of exhibiting extra deference to the West’s adversaries than to its companions.
“I don’t know why the president of america behaves this manner along with his personal allies,” she mentioned in a video posted on X in response to Trump’s unique feedback.
“It’s regrettable that he doesn’t present the identical willpower in opposition to the enemies of the West and america – in opposition to leaderships with whom he truly proves to be rather more accommodating,” she continued.
Meloni had spent months cultivating shut ties with Trump whereas attempting 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 through 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 believed she had braveness, however I used to be mistaken,” Trump informed Italian media on the time, including that it was “very mentioned” that Meloni “doesn’t wish to assist eliminate a nuclear-weaponed Iran”.
