Meloni's spat with Trump shows readiness to risk a bigger fight

Donato Paolo Mancini, Bloomberg News on Jun 20, 2026

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President Donald Trump and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni traded barbs for a second day in an unprecedented blowout between the two countries’ leaders.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump continued to insist — as he did on Friday — that Meloni had repeatedly asked for a photo with him at this week’s G7 meeting but he refused because Italy didn’t help the U.S. with the bombing campaign against Iran.

“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” Trump added.

Meloni retorted almost immediately in a post on Instagram Saturday, saying the “constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.”

“Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern,” she wrote. “I suggest you focus on yours.”

Meloni opposed the Iran war from the beginning but became more vocal in her criticism as energy prices surged. Italy in March denied the U.S. the use of an airbase in Sicily for combat operations during the war, citing rules that date back to the 1950s.

Earlier this year, Meloni also defended Pope Leo XIV, saying the president’s remarks criticizing the pontiff for his opposition to the war were “unacceptable.” That prompted Trump to say he was “shocked” by her and that she lacked courage.

Tensions had appeared to ease at the G7 summit this week in France, with Italian diplomats saying the two had cleared the air. But, in remarks aired Friday by La7, Trump said Meloni had “begged” for a picture with him at the summit and that he felt “sorry for her,” something she said was “totally made up.”

“I can only say it’s regrettable he doesn’t have the same determination with the enemies of the West, the enemies of the U.S., with leaders he’s far more accommodating with,” she said in response from a European Union leaders meeting in Brussels.