Giorgia Meloni has told Donald Trump to “focus on your own popularity” after the US president launched a fresh series of attacks on the Italian prime minister, deepening a rift between the two once-close allies.
In a blistering social media post on Saturday, Meloni branded Trump’s repeated criticisms “senseless” and insisted she would not be intimidated. “As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you,” she wrote on Instagram. “My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
“Giorgia Meloni hits back at Donald Trump's 'senseless' attacks, telling him to focus on his own popularity.”
The exchange marks the latest escalation in a public feud that began when Trump told Italy’s La7 TV channel that Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph at this week’s G7 summit in Evian, France. “She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her,” Trump said in the interview, which was voiced over in Italian. Meloni responded with a video calling the claim “completely made-up” and declaring: “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Trump doubled down on Saturday, posting on his social media platform that Meloni had “asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.” He also questioned her political standing, writing: “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity.” In the same post, he accused Italy and other NATO allies of failing to provide military support during the US-led bombing campaign against Iran, adding: “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!”
The Italian leader, who has received support from across the political spectrum at home, also defended her government’s refusal to allow US use of Italian air facilities for operations in Iran. “Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister,” she said.
The spat has already had diplomatic consequences. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned trip to the US scheduled for early next week, and other Italian ministers are reportedly set to boycott US Independence Day celebrations in Rome.
Speaking as she left the EU summit venue in Brussels, Meloni indicated she expected the dispute to continue. The two leaders, once politically close, have been at odds since Trump’s military action against Iran earlier this year, and the latest row shows no sign of abating.