Continuing a sharp exchange of words over a photograph at the G7 Summit in France, U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (June 20, 2026) said that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “asked, over and over, for a picture” with him at the world leaders’ meeting last week.
Ms. Meloni fired back at him on Saturday (June 20, 2026), saying his “constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless” after he escalated a diplomatic row by accusing her of repeatedly seeking a photograph with him.
The U.S. President also lashed out at the Italian PM, saying she “wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up’, after the United States defeated Iran militarily”
Mr. Trump’s rebuke comes a day after Ms. Meloni accused her one-time close ally of fabricating a story about her, claiming that she had “begged” him to take a photo with her at the G7 summit. Ms. Meloni, in a video post on social media, said she was “astonished” by his comments, which were “completely made up”.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr. Trump wrote: “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).”
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies,” he added.
Accusing her of extending a hand of friendship after the latest development in the U.S.-Iran deal, Mr. Trump signed of his latest message with “No thanks!!!”.
‘Constant, unprovoked… senseless’ attacks
The Italian PM, in a blistering response on Instagram, accused Mr. Trump of “constant, unprovoked… senseless” attacks and said her popularity did not depend on her relationship with the U.S. President.
“Being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you,” she wrote.
She rejected Trump’s criticism over the use of U.S. military facilities in Italy, saying they were governed by agreements that Rome had respected. “In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she added.
The latest exchange marks a sharp deterioration in ties, coming just days after signs emerged at the G7 Summit that the two right-wing leaders had steadied a previously strained relationship following tensions this year over the war on Iran.
The controversy stems from Mr. Trump’s interaction with an Italian TV channel after the Summit in France. “She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her,” he was quoted as saying by La7 TV channel in a brief interview, after he himself asked the journalist about Italy’s prime minister.
“She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” Mr. Trump said, according to La7’s translation. The channel did not release the original audio, just a dubbed version.
Ms. Meloni responded on Friday (June 19, 2026), in a video statement which was captioned: “Neither I nor Italy ever beg”.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished. I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover,” she said.
Ms. Meloni also chided him for acting with far greater deference to the enemies of the West than he does towards old, established allies. Underscoring how much Mr. Trump’s comments have angered Ms. Meloni’s government, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was cancelling a planned visit to the U.S. next week.
U.S.-Italy ties under strain over West Asia war
At the end of the G7 summit in Evian, Ms. Meloni had spoken of a “very positive climate” and “no friction” between Mr. Trump and other world leaders present. But she also said the two had “quite strong characters”.
She was seen several times with the U.S. President at the Summit including a meeting on a sofa after which he appeared to pat her shoulder.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaking to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 17, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Ms. Meloni has tried to position herself as a bridge between Europe and the Trump administration, but the relationship came under strain during the war in West Asia.
He turned on Ms. Meloni in April after she defended Pope Leo XIV from the U.S. President’s harsh criticism of the pontiff’s anti-war views. She condemned the remarks as “unacceptable”.
To this, Mr. Trump had said, “I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong.” He had also accused Ms. Meloni of failing to help the United States with NATO.
With inputs from AFP
Published – June 20, 2026 06:36 pm IST
