US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have entered a sharp public feud on social media, with both leaders exchanging direct accusations. Trump argued that Meloni’s polling in Italy is weak and linked it to her refusal to help Washington on Iran, while Meloni responded that he should mind his own affairs.
In a post on his social network, Trump said Meloni had repeatedly asked to be photographed with him during the G7 summit in France. He claimed her popularity in Italy is low because she would not help the United States block Iran from obtaining or developing nuclear weapons. He also accused her of refusing to let the US use Italian runways, despite what he described as massive American spending on NATO and Italy’s defense. Trump added that after the US “defeated Iran militarily,” she now wants to be friendly again. “No thanks!!!” he wrote.
Meloni answered in a blunt public statement, calling Trump’s attacks “unjustified” and “nonsense.” She said, “Being your friend probably did not help me,” but insisted that her popularity depends on protecting Italy’s national interest. She added that this was also her approach to American military bases in Italy, and concluded, “Italy will remain a sovereign country... I suggest you focus on your own.”
The clash follows Trump’s earlier interview with Italian television, in which he said Meloni wanted the photo for political reasons and that he agreed only out of sympathy. Meloni rejected that account as completely made up, saying Trump tends to treat his enemies better than friendly countries. The dispute has already had diplomatic consequences, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a planned official visit to Washington next week, calling the remarks an insult to Italy. The two governments had been close early in Trump’s term, including Meloni’s attendance at his inauguration, but relations have deteriorated over politics, the confrontation with Iran, and parallel tensions involving the Vatican.
