Trump doubles down on Meloni photo claim as rift over Iran strikes deepens Italy-US tensions

Trump repeats the G7 photo claim

A diplomatic dispute between Washington and Rome intensified on Saturday after Donald Trump repeated his claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had repeatedly asked him for a photograph during this week's G7 summit in France. Writing on Truth Social, the U.S. president said Meloni "asked, again and again, for a photo with me during the G7 meeting in France." The statement followed an earlier interview on Italian television channel La7 in which Trump had claimed Meloni "begged" him for the picture. The prime minister has denied the account, releasing a video on Friday calling the narrative "completely fabricated."

“Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am stunned. Neither Italy nor I ever beg.”

Iran strikes and the airbase refusal

Trump went further in his Saturday post, connecting Meloni's alleged conduct to Italy's decision in late March not to allow American combat aircraft to use Italian runways during the U.S.-led bombing campaign against Iran. He called the refusal a "major logistical inconvenience" for the U.S. Air Force and argued that the United States contributes hundreds of billions of dollars annually to protect Italy and other "so-called" NATO allies. The rift over Iran first emerged in the spring when Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV for his peace appeals in the Middle East and Meloni sided with the pontiff, a move Trump described as turning her back on the United States.

“She didn't even let us use the landing strips or tarmacs, a major inconvenience.”

Meloni defends Italian sovereignty

Responding on Instagram, Meloni called the attacks "constant and unjustified" and "absurd." She stressed that her popularity depends on defending Italy's national interest, not on her relationship with Trump. The prime minister also addressed the issue of American military installations directly, stating that their use is governed by agreements that will not be violated as long as she remains in office.

“The same goes for the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that I have always respected and will not be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation.”

Meloni added in a subsequent post in Italian that she would not return to the verbal dispute, citing her belief in Western unity and her view that such a spectacle is unworthy of their mission.

Diplomatic fallout and the cancelled US visit

The spat has already produced concrete diplomatic consequences. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a visit to the United States following Trump's earlier remarks that Meloni had "begged" for the photo. Trump, meanwhile, asserted that Meloni's popularity in Italy had collapsed and that she was now seeking to be friendly again only to improve her political standing after the military defeat of Iran. In his Truth Social post he concluded: "Now that the United States has defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again to 'improve her numbers'. No, thanks!!!"

“In any case, my popularity is none of your business. I suggest you take care of your own.”