In brief
Former President Donald Trump accused Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of repeatedly pleading for a photo together at the G7 summit, escalating tensions between the two leaders. In a Truth Social post, Trump also criticized Meloni for blocking US military air facilities in Italy and for not opposing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Meloni denied the claim, calling it a false narrative, and described Trump’s remarks as insulting to an ally. The dispute highlights ongoing friction following the US’s military actions against Iran earlier in the year and signals potential strains in the Italy‑US partnership. Both leaders have remained publicly calm, stating their relationship remains unchanged, though backing this assertion with brief statements.
Former President Donald Trump took to his social‑media platform Truth Social to accuse Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni of making a “request” for a joint photo at the G7 summit in Evian‑les‑Bains, France. Trump’s post, which he repeated on a phone interview with Italy’s La7 channel, stated that Meloni begged him for the picture and that he “felt sorry for her.”
In addition to the photo saga, Trump blasted Meloni for not supporting US efforts to block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He further alleged that Italian air controls hindered U.S. military use of Italian aviation facilities for operations in Iran – a move that would have had implications for U.S. strategy against Iran’s nuclear program.
Meloni responded through an Instagram video, expressing shock at the accusations and asserting that she never made such requests. She also noted that this was not the first time Trump had made unsubstantiated claims. During the interview, Trump went on to criticize the Italian leader’s popularity, suggesting that the U.S. had “defeated” Iran militarily and asking Tre to “get her numbers up.”
The dispute highlights a growing rift between the two countries following the U.S. military action against Iran in March. Italy had earlier denied U.S. fighter aircraft a landing slot at the Sigonella air base, a decision that complicates future strategic cooperation. In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has postponed his planned visit to Washington this week.
Despite the heated exchanges, both leaders publicly stated that their bilateral relationship remains unchanged and that “no recriminations” have occurred. However, the back‑and‑forth comments underscore ongoing tensions over diplomatic conduct, media statements, and alignment on international security.
The incident draws attention to the broader context of U.S. foreign‑policy rhetoric, especially considering Trump’s recent criticisms of both Pope Leo XIII and other leaders for perceived softness toward adversaries. Meloni’s rebuttal came at a time when she had attended Trump’s inauguration in January 2025 and has been one of the few European allies to publicly support his agenda.
