President Donald Trump on Saturday repeated that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" for a photo with him at this week's G7 summit in France, despite her denials.
Trump repeated the claim in a social media post, saying Meloni asked "over and over" for a photo and accusing her of not supporting U.S. efforts to prevent Iran "from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon"; he added that "She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity" and complained that "She wouldn't even let us use Italy's landing strips or runways," writing that the U.S. "contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy." The White House did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Meloni shared a screenshot of Trump's post and in English called his attacks "unprovoked" and "senseless," saying, "As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done," and adding, "In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours." She also posted in Italian that she would not revisit the subject.
The exchange followed an interview that aired Friday on Italy's La7, the BBC reported, and Meloni said in an Instagram video she was "frankly stunned" and that "neither I nor Italy ever beg."
Italian deputy premier and foreign minister Antonio Tajani called off a U.S. visit planned for Sunday and Monday and in an X post said, "President Trump's serious and offensive words towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy." At an event at the foreign ministry he added, "no one is allowed to offend Italy like the U.S. did." Filippo Sensi, a senator for the centre-left Democratic Party, said in an X post, "I have nothing in common with Meloni...But no one can treat Italy this way."
The BBC said the continuing exchange highlighted a developing rift between the two countries since Trump's military action against Iran this year, noted that Trump and Meloni were pictured in close conversation at the G7 and that Meloni later told reporters their relationship was unchanged and there had been "no recriminations," and reported Meloni's comment that 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 BBC added that Meloni was the sole European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in January 2025.