In brief
After Donald Trump publicly questioned the Italian prime minister’s popularity at the G7 summit, Meloni retaliated on social media, calling the attacks senseless. Trump also claimed Meloni had repeatedly asked for a photo during the meeting and did not support US efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The exchange has exposed mounting tensions between the U.S. and Italy, especially after Trump’s early‑morning raid on Iran. Meloni dismissed the allegations, insisting that her popularity is independent of any personal relationship with the former president, and warned the U.S. that Italy would not let its bases be used for military operations against Iran. The spat comes amid wider strifes between the two leaders, who had previously swapped criticism of each other’s foreign‑policy stances, and has prompted Italy’s foreign minister to cancel a scheduled U.S. trip.
After a photograph of Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit appeared on Twitter, the former U.S. president criticised the Italian prime minister for supposedly lacking popularity in Italy and for allegedly repeatedly asking the U.S. president for a photo.
Meloni, for her part, responded on Instagram with a statement that listed Trump’s attacks as “senseless” and said that her popularity had nothing to do with her relationship with the U.S. and that it should not be a point of concern for him.
Trump also said Meloni had failed to support U.S. plans to stop Iran’s nuclear programme and had caused a “logistical inconvenience” by denying the United States use of Italian air facilities for military operations in Iran. In a reply, Meloni said that the use of Italian bases is governed by existing agreements that cannot be violated while she is prime minister.
The disagreement has highlighted an emerging rift between the U.S. and Italy, especially after Trump’s surprise raid on Iran. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the U.S. scheduled for next week.
Earlier this year the leaders clashed over Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV. Meloni described those remarks as “unacceptable.” They have maintained a close political relationship, with Meloni attendingTrump’s inauguration in January 2025.
