The dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni intensified on June 21, 2026, as both leaders exchanged sharp public attacks on social media. Trump said Meloni’s popularity in Italy was “not in good shape” and accused her of not being willing to help the United States in the war against Iran. Meloni responded that he should focus on his own popularity.
The clash followed Trump’s claim in an interview with Italian television that Meloni had “begged” to be photographed with him. He said, “She really wanted a photo with me. I would not have taken a photo with her, but I felt sorry for her.” Meloni rejected the remark as “a complete invention” and said Trump treats his enemies better than his allies.
Trump escalated the argument in a post on Truth, saying Meloni had repeatedly asked to pose with him during the G7 summit in France. He linked her domestic standing to her refusal to help the U.S. on Iran, wrote that Italy did not allow American use of its airfields, and claimed this created a serious logistical problem. He added that the U.S. spends “hundreds of billions of dollars a year” defending Italy and other NATO allies, and ended by saying, “No thanks!!!”
Meloni answered in her own public post that Trump’s “continuous and unjustified attacks” were “nonsense.” She said her popularity depends on defending Italy’s national interest, not on her relationship with Trump, and argued that her record includes decisions on American military bases in Italy. She concluded that Italy will remain sovereign and that her popularity is “none of your business.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also canceled a planned official visit to Washington next week, calling Trump’s remarks “an insult to all of Italy.” Meloni had been seen as Trump’s leading European ally, including being the only major European leader at his inauguration, but the relationship has worsened because of the Iran war, Meloni’s political troubles, and Trump’s dispute with the pope.
