Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni slammed US President Donald Trump after he claimed that she had repeatedly “begged” for a photograph with him during the G7 Summit in France to boost her popularity in Italy.
Hitting back at the remarks, Meloni dismissed the allegation and told Trump, “My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
Trump claims Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo
In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump claimed that Meloni repeatedly requested a picture with him during the G7 Summit.
He also alleged that the Italian Prime Minister’s popularity was declining and suggested that it was linked to her refusal to fully support US efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump criticises Italy over military facilities
Trump further criticised Italy for not allowing the United States to use Italian landing strips and runways, calling it a major logistical inconvenience.
He said the US spends hundreds of billions of dollars protecting Italy and other NATO allies and expressed disappointment over Italy’s stance.
Trump also claimed that after the United States had “defeated Iran militarily”, Meloni was trying to improve ties with Washington to increase her approval ratings.
Meloni calls Trump’s attacks ‘senseless’
Responding to the comments, Giorgia Meloni described Trump’s repeated attacks as “senseless”.
She said her popularity was not linked to her friendship with Trump and added that being close to the US president had not helped her politically.
“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” Meloni said.
Italian PM defends country’s national interests
Meloni said her political support comes from her ability to defend Italy’s interests.
She also defended her government’s position regarding American military bases in Italy, saying their use is governed by agreements that Italy has always respected.
The Italian Prime Minister said these agreements cannot be violated as long as she remains in office.
Tensions emerge between Trump and Meloni
The exchange highlights growing tensions between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni, who have generally maintained friendly ties in the past.
The disagreement comes amid wider debates over US military operations and the role of NATO allies in supporting Washington’s strategic goals.
Read Also: Strait of Hormuz closed again? Iran shuts critical waterway over Israel attacks in Lebanon, JD Vance’s response goes viral
First published on: Jun 20, 2026 10:41 PM IST
Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.
End of Article
About the Author
Navya Dubey
Navya Dubey is a Sub-Editor at News 24 with two years of experience in journalism. Passionate about storytelling and reporting, she covers a wide range of topics including politics, crime, general news, and breaking stories. She also takes a keen interest in trending and viral content, bringing readers engaging and thought-provoking stories that capture public interest.
Read More
Related Story
