In brief
At the G7 summit, Trump questioned Giorgia Meloni’s popularity and accused her of refusing U.S. attempts to use Italian bases. Meloni responded on Instagram, dismissing the claims as senseless and asking Trump to concentrate on his own standing. The exchange has intensified a growing rift between Italy and the U.S., especially after Trump’s military action against Iran. Leading Italian politicians from across the spectrum back Meloni’s stance, underscoring the diplomatic strain between the two nations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused U.S. President Donald Trump of making unprovoked attacks, calling them senseless. In a statement on Instagram, she told Trump his comments about her popularity were irrelevant, urging him to focus on his own standing.
Trump had declared that Meloni was “doing poorly in Italy” in terms of popularity and had accused her of refusing to allow U.S. forces to use Italian bases for operations in Iran. He also portrayed her as having “begged” for a photo with him during a G7 meeting, a claim Meloni said was false.
The Italian leader defended her position, stating that the use of Xian’s facilities is governed by agreements that she respects, and that her government has never breached them. She stressed that the relationship between Italy and the U.S. remains unchanged, though the two leaders have not had any formal complaints about the exchange.
The disagreement is part of a broader rift that has emerged after Trump’s recent military action against Iran. Italian foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani is expected to cancel a planned visit to the U.S. early next week, a development that underscores the friction between the nations.
Meloni received support from politicians across Italy’s political spectrum, with many condemning Trump’s post and noting that neither she nor Italy has ever “begged” for favors. The bilateral friction is a stark reminder of the delicate balance in U.S.-European relations as geopolitical tensions rise.
