Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni continue fight over President’s claims
The US President has doubled down on his claims that the Italian PM repeatedly asked for photographs with him, which she denies.
Tensions between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have escalated further.
The President doubled down on his claims that Ms Meloni asked “over and over” for a photograph with him, which she has denied.
“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!),” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!!”
Mr Trump misspelt the Prime Minister’s name as “Gigiorgia”.
In response, Ms Meloni shared a scathing post directed at Mr Trump on her Instagram in response.
“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless,” she wrote in English.
“As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you.
“In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
The new comments come after the pair exchanged barbs earlier in the week after meeting at the G7 Summit.
They were seen sitting side-by-side, deep in conversation, but the US President described Ms Meloni as desperate for a photograph.
“She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her,” Mr Trump said to La7 TV channel in a brief interview, after he asked the journalist about Italy’s prime minister.
“She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
The channel did not air the original audio, only the dubbed version.
But Ms Meloni responded denying the President’s claims, saying they were “completely made up”.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up,” she said.
“I am frankly astonished. I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover.”
“I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,” she said.
“There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Ms Meloni was the only European leader to attend Mr Trump’s 2025 inauguration, and was previously a very vocal supporter of the President.
However, the Italian government was so offended by Mr Trump’s comments that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled his planned visit to the US next week.
“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy,” he wrote on X.
With AP.
