Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has intensified her public dispute with US President Donald Trump, telling him to focus on his own popularity after he questioned her standing with Italian voters and repeated claims that she repeatedly sought a photograph with him.

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The latest exchange unfolded on social media after Trump said on Saturday that Meloni was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity”. He also accused her of failing to support US efforts to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

In a post on Instagram, Meloni dismissed what she described as Trump’s “constant, unprovoked attacks” as “senseless”.

Addressing his remarks about her domestic support, she said that being associated with Trump had certainly not boosted her popularity and that her political standing did not depend on her relationship with the US president.

“My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she wrote.

Dispute Over Military Facilities

Trump also accused the Italian leader of creating “a great logistical inconvenience” by refusing to allow the United States to use Italian air facilities for military operations involving Iran.

Meloni rejected the criticism, saying access to Italian bases is governed by longstanding agreements that Italy has consistently respected. She added that those arrangements would not be violated while she remained prime minister.

Row Began After G7 Summit

The dispute escalated following the recent G7 summit in France, where the two leaders were seen speaking privately and appeared to maintain cordial relations.

After the meeting, Meloni told reporters that their relationship remained unchanged and that there had been “no recriminations”.

However, Trump later told Italy’s La7 television channel that Meloni had “begged” him to take a photograph with her.

“She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her,” Trump said during the interview. He also suggested she should be pleased that he had spoken with her.

Meloni responded in an Instagram video, saying she was “frankly stunned” by the comments.

“I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards allies,” she said, adding that such behaviour was not unprecedented.

“But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

Growing Strains Between Allies

The continuing war of words has highlighted increasing tensions between Rome and Washington following Trump’s military action against Iran earlier this year.

Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has since cancelled a planned visit to the United States scheduled for early next week.

Meloni’s response has drawn support from across Italy’s political spectrum, with politicians from different parties backing her defence of Italy’s position.

The pair have also clashed previously. Earlier this year, Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV on social media, describing him as weak on crime and poor on foreign policy. Meloni condemned those remarks as “unacceptable”.

Despite the recent tensions, the two leaders had previously maintained a close political relationship. Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, underscoring what had been viewed as a strong partnership between the two governments.

RELATED ARTICLE:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1397103-italys-meloni-rebukes-trump-over-begged-for-photo-claim/

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 June 2026

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Americas disgrace in front of the world how much lower can you get !

I do not try and keep up with other countries political issues as it is not a problem for me. All I know is Italy has an Excellent professional lady's volleyball team. VNL playoffs now happening so try and watch if possible and get away from Chat lines that will raise your blood pressure over issues you have no control over.

23 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Americas disgrace in front of the world how much lower can you get !

Wait and see, he will find a way.

Posts with derogatory nicknames, intentional misspellings, or personal remarks will be removed. Spell names correctly for all sides of the debate.

That any rational-thinking person would believe on face value anything that trump says flies in the face of reality.

Everything needs to be screened through the filters of narcissism and self-aggrandizement, then listening to 'the other side' for the facts.
Has he ever spoken the truth? We know about the thousands of lies, but has he ever told the truth to the American public?
Look at the photos from the G7 meeting, watch the body language of the world leaders, and decide for yourself how the rest of the world views this man.
Beg for a photo? That's hilarious! My hat's off to the Italian prime minister for throwing a spotlight on this man's lies.
Unfortunately, trump supporters don't mind care. They prefer a comfortable lie to a disquieting truth... and that's why we are paying almost double at the pumps and in the grocery stores.

36 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

That any rational-thinking person would believe on face value anything that trump says flies in the face of reality.

Everything needs to be screened through the filters of narcissism and self-aggrandizement, then listening to 'the other side' for the facts.
Has he ever spoken the truth? We know about the thousands of lies, but has he ever told the truth to the American public?
Look at the photos from the G7 meeting, watch the body language of the world leaders, and decide for yourself how the rest of the world views this man.
Beg for a photo? That's hilarious! My hat's off to the Italian prime minister for throwing a spotlight on this man's lies.
Unfortunately, trump supporters don't mind care. They prefer a comfortable lie to a disquieting truth... and that's why we are paying almost double at the pumps and in the grocery stores.

This is why America is the laughing stock of the world !! Americas credibility is the lowest it can ever get ! This is going to last for years Who in this world is ever going to trust America !!

Meloni will get re-elected, Trump will recover for the mid-terms and they'll mysteriously be friends again. Similar playbook with Bibi. Trump doesn't need him right now.

11 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

This is why America is the laughing stock of the world !! Americas credibility is the lowest it can ever get ! This is going to last for years Who in this world is ever going to trust America !!

With respect, I believe the world will respect America as soon as America demonstrates responsibility, and gets rid of this entire administration. Bring in some non- criminals, with experience in the respective fields, and see how fast America gains respect.

Unfortunately, despite getting respect, it’s going to take years to restore, if that’s even possible, our economic standing in the world community.

18 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

With respect, I believe the world will respect America as soon as America demonstrates responsibility, and gets rid of this entire administration. Bring in some non- criminals, with experience in the respective fields, and see how fast America gains respect.

Unfortunately, despite getting respect, it’s going to take years to restore, if that’s even possible, our economic standing in the world community.

And i think you hit the nail on its head "Responsibility" not only to itself and its people but also the the damage it has done to the world !

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4 hours ago, cdulaney said:

I do not try and keep up with other countries political issues as it is not a problem for me. All I know is Italy has an Excellent professional lady's volleyball team. VNL playoffs now happening so try and watch if possible and get away from Chat lines that will raise your blood pressure over issues you have no control over.

Cory, what is it you do not understand about my comment?

6 hours ago, cdulaney said:

All I know is

"Italy denied U.S. military aircraft carrying weapons permission to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East. The decision was enforced because the aircraft were en route to the Middle East for operations against Iran.

This denial was strictly a matter of established protocols and international treaties rather than a political rupture with the United States

The U.S. requested clearance after the aircraft were already airborne....Because the aircraft were transporting combat weapons, the mission required parliamentary approval, which could not be processed due to the short notice." AI (my bold and italics)

Denial is about the Rule of Law, something POTUS Trump despises.

On 6/22/2026 at 8:56 AM, cdulaney said:

I do not try and keep up with other countries political issues as it is not a problem for me. All I know is Italy has an Excellent professional lady's volleyball team. VNL playoffs now happening so try and watch if possible and get away from Chat lines that will raise your blood pressure over issues you have no control over.

My comment was Very straight forward. If you people with an issue of not understanding the comment need to stop the bar trips and give what is left of your brain a rest.

14 minutes ago, cdulaney said:

My comment was Very straight forward. If you people with an issue of not understanding the comment need to stop the bar trips and give what is left of your brain a rest.

I think your blood pressure is raised !! who cares!! if nobody understands your comments, you have posted 3 times about it !

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

I think your blood pressure is raised !! who cares!! if nobody understands your comments, you have posted 3 times about it !

Mike I see you are counting my post. I like that you have that kind of time on your hands. FYI, my blood pressure is just fine but I am sure you do not care about mine or any others per your comment. Later Low So.