Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has fired back at United States President Donald Trump, describing his “constant, unprovoked attacks” as senseless after he escalated a diplomatic row by accusing her of repeatedly seeking a photograph with him.
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The exchange has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and one of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders, who had sought to present herself as a bridge between Washington and Europe following Trump’s return to power.
The dispute began after Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 that Meloni “begged” him for a photograph at this week’s G7 summit in France, claiming that he agreed only because he “felt sorry for her.”
Meloni denied the claim, describing it as false, but Trump doubled down in a post on Truth Social, alleging that the Italian leader had asked “over and over” for a photograph during the summit.
Trump also accused Meloni of attempting to repair relations with Washington for domestic political gain after Italy failed to support United States action against Iran.
“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” Trump wrote.
He further claimed that Meloni was doing “poorly in Italy” and linked it to her alleged refusal to allow the United States to use Italian “landing strips or runways” during the conflict with Iran.
Trump also revived his long-standing criticism of NATO allies, accusing the United States of spending heavily to defend Italy and other “so-called” allies.
In a sharp response posted on Instagram, Meloni said her popularity did not depend on her relationship with the US president.
“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless,” she wrote.
“Being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you.”
She also rejected Trump’s criticism over the use of US military facilities in Italy, insisting that such facilities are governed by agreements that Rome has respected.
“Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated. As long as I am prime minister, Italy remains a sovereign nation,” Meloni said.
“In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she added.
The remarks marked a sharp escalation of a dispute that had already triggered anger in Rome and strained Italy-US relations at a time when Trump’s handling of foreign policy has unsettled several European partners.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, cancelled a planned visit to the United States, describing Trump’s comments about Meloni as “grave and offensive” and saying they offended the whole of Italy.
Meloni, who leads the Brothers of Italy party, had earlier said she was “frankly stunned” by Trump’s comments and accused him of showing more deference to the West’s adversaries than to its allies.
The backlash is notable because Meloni had invested heavily in personal diplomacy with Trump and was widely viewed in Rome and Washington as one of his closest ideological partners in Europe.
At the end of the G7 summit in Evian, Meloni had described the atmosphere as “very positive” and said there was “no friction” between Trump and other leaders. She, however, acknowledged that she and Trump both had “quite strong characters.”
Relations between the two leaders had already deteriorated during the Middle East conflict after Trump criticised Meloni for Italy’s refusal to allow the use of US military bases in the country during the war with Iran.
Trump had also previously turned on Meloni in April after she defended Pope Leo XIV from his criticism of the pontiff’s anti-war views.
Reacting to the latest exchange, Italy’s Justice Minister, Carlo Nordio, described Trump’s comments as a “painful injury” to Italy-US ties, while Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said such remarks did not benefit anyone.
Meloni indicated that her latest response would be her final comment on the matter, telling Trump to focus on his own popularity while insisting that Italy would remain a sovereign nation under her leadership.
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