Meloni Calls Trump’s Popularity Criticism ‘Senseless’ Amid G7 Row

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.

Image: Handout via REUTERS