Meloni tells Trump to focus on his own popularity as diplomatic crisis deepens between Italy and US

A war of words between Rome and Washington escalated on Saturday after President Trump posted on Truth Social that Prime Minister Meloni had repeatedly pleaded for a picture with him during the G7 summit in France. The American leader also linked Italy's refusal to allow the US military use of its airbases for strikes on Iran to what he called her poor domestic standing.

Trump's accusations

Trump told Italian television La7 on Friday that Meloni "begged me, she wanted a photo so badly" and that he only agreed because "I felt sorry for her." On Saturday he doubled down on Truth Social: "Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a photo with me at the G7 meeting in France. She is doing badly in Italy, given her popularity, probably because she rejected the United States, the country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to preventing Iran from obtaining or developing nuclear weapons." He added that Italy "didn't even let us use the Italian runways" despite "hundreds of billions of dollars a year" in US spending on NATO allies, and concluded: "Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again to boost her 'numbers'. No, thank you!!!"

Meloni's sharp reply

Within hours, Meloni published a statement in English on Instagram.

“President Trump, these constant unprovoked attacks are pointless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly hasn't helped and it does not depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend the national interest of Italy and that is exactly what I have always done.”

The prime minister stressed that the use of American military bases on Italian soil is governed by agreements that cannot be violated as long as she is in power, and that Italy remains a sovereign country.

“In any case, my popularity is not your problem. I suggest you focus on your own.”

Diplomatic fallout

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani immediately cancelled a long-planned visit to the United States set for 21 and 22 June.

“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my trip to the United States.”

A business forum in Miami where both Tajani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were expected was also called off. President Sergio Mattarella and politicians across Italy's political spectrum expressed solidarity with Meloni.

Wider context

The spat follows months of mounting friction. Meloni, once seen as one of Trump's closest European allies and the only EU leader to attend his 2025 inauguration, has publicly clashed with Washington over the war in the Middle East and the refusal of several NATO members, including Italy, to join military operations around the Strait of Hormuz. In April, Italy rejected a US request to use the Sigonella airbase in Sicily for strikes on Iran, citing the need for government and parliamentary approval. Opinion polls in Italy show Meloni's Brothers of Italy party leading ahead of next year's elections, while a Pew Research survey this month found only 32 per cent of Italians trust Trump.