Trump and Meloni Trade Sharp Public Barbs Over Italy's Role in Iran Campaign

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday launched a new public attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, mocking her political standing and accusing her of trying to rebuild ties with Washington for domestic gain. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said Meloni had repeatedly asked to pose with him during the G7 summit and claimed her popularity in Italy was "very bad." He also said she wanted to be "friends again" only because the United States had "defeated Iran militarily," adding, "No thanks."

Trump further alleged that Meloni had refused to let the United States use Italian takeoff and landing strips during the campaign against Iran, even though Washington, he said, spends huge sums defending Italy and NATO allies. The remarks marked another episode in a long-running strain in the relationship, even though Meloni had previously been seen as one of Trump's closest European leaders.

Meloni answered with unusually blunt criticism. She called Trump's claims "completely fabricated," and said in a video posted to social media that she did not know why the U.S. president was acting this way toward allies. "It is not the first time this has happened," she said. She then added that Trump should show the same determination toward Western enemies and U.S. enemies that he shows toward leaders he treats more flexibly.

Meloni said her popularity was not Trump's concern and that Italy was not begging for anything. She stressed that the use of American bases in Italy is governed by existing agreements and that Italy remains a sovereign state. According to AP, the clash was serious enough that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned visit to the United States and called Trump's comments "serious and offensive" to Meloni and to Italy.