Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni escalated her growing feud with President Donald Trump, calling his attacks “senseless” and saying her priority was to “defend Italy’s national interest.”
Meloni’s outrage over Trump claiming she “begged” him for a photo at the G7 Summit continued after Trump responded with a post on Truth Social, maintaining his grudge over Italy’s refusal to help with the war with Iran. Trump stood by his story that Meloni begged him for a photo at the summit, then tore into her popularity and mocked her for trying to “be friends again.” The prime minister responded in a long post on Instagram by claiming the president was launching “constant” attacks against her, which she said were “senseless.”
“As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has 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,” she wrote. “That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. 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. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” Meloni added.
The public breakup of their previously strong friendship is one of the most dramatic Trump has seen in his second term. The two forged a close bond during Trump’s first administration over their ideological similarities, a bond that was maintained during Trump’s time out of office. She was reportedly the only European leader to receive an invitation to his inauguration in January 2025.
Cracks began forming in their relationship amid Trump’s wider disputes with NATO and tariffs, and the first public break occurred when Meloni called Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo “unacceptable.”
Trump publicly soured on Meloni during Operation Epic Fury, when Italy refused to help with the war and forbade the use of its airfields for logistical assistance. Trump’s bitterness over the slight has held, leading to his public ribbing of Meloni after the G7 Summit, in which he claimed she was “begging” for a picture with him to an Italian news outlet.
While most European leaders have shrugged off Trump’s attacks, Meloni turned the slight into a spectacle with a video message denying his claims and accusing him of fabricating the interaction, then shifted to a wider criticism of his character.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies. it is not the first time, moreover,” she said.
Trump has responded by doubling down and confirming the fallout was over Italy’s refusal to help with the war with Iran.
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” he said in a Saturday post on Truth Social.