US President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the latest update of the ongoing diplomatic dispute following the G7 summit in France. Trump claimed on Saturday that Meloni repeatedly asked for a photograph with him and also said she was doing poorly politically in Italy, further fueling US–Italy political tensions.
What Happened Earlier: G7 Summit Photo Controversy Begins
The dispute began after Trump, in an earlier interview with an Italian broadcaster, alleged that Meloni had begged for a photo with him during the G7 summit. The claim quickly triggered backlash, with Meloni strongly rejecting it and calling it completely fabricated. This initial disagreement set off a wider diplomatic row between the two leaders, drawing attention across Europe and the United States.
Why the Dispute Escalated Into Diplomatic Tension
The controversy expanded beyond a personal exchange and became a political issue after Italy’s foreign minister cancelled a planned visit to the United States. Several members of Meloni’s government also came forward to defend her, deepening the US–Italy diplomatic tensions. Analysts say the situation worsened due to repeated public statements from both sides, turning a media dispute into a broader political fallout.
Trump’s Latest Truth Social Post on Meloni
In his latest post on Truth Social, Trump repeated his claims about the G7 photo incident. He wrote, “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.” He also added, “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.” These remarks were also previously aired during a La7 broadcast, where Trump reiterated his position in response to interview questions.
According to reports, Trump was initially asked about Ukraine during the interview but shifted the discussion to Giorgia Meloni and the disputed G7 photo request. He stated that he was not required to take the photograph but agreed because he “felt sorry for her,” further intensifying the latest political controversy.
US–Italy Relations and NATO Defence Spending Tensions
In another escalation, Trump criticised Meloni’s government for refusing US access to Italian airbases during tensions involving Iran. He argued that Italy, despite being a key NATO ally, did not fully support US defence operations.
Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about NATO burden-sharing and defence spending, an issue he also discussed with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey. Earlier, Italy reportedly declined permission for US bombers to use a Sicilian base without parliamentary approval, adding further strain to US–Italy relations.
Trump Suggests Possible Reset After US–Iran Deal Talks
Despite the sharp criticism, Trump also suggested that Meloni “wants to be friends again” following a preliminary US–Iran agreement aimed at reducing regional tensions. However, the ongoing G7 fallout and continued war of words indicate that the Trump–Meloni diplomatic rift remains unresolved.
