Trump deepens the dustup with Italy’s Meloni, who says his ‘unprovoked attacks are senseless’
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-20 11:27:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Escalates Dispute with Italy’s Meloni, Makes Disputed Claims About G7 and Iran War
President Donald Trump intensified his public feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the weekend, making a series of contentious claims about their interactions at the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit and Italy’s stance during the Iran war.
Trump’s Claims and Meloni’s Response
On his social media platform, Trump wrote, “Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.” He also criticized Meloni’s popularity in Italy, suggesting it was suffering “possibly because she turned down the United States of America… when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).” Trump initially misspelled Meloni’s first name in his post, later correcting it.
These remarks follow Trump’s earlier interview with an Italian broadcaster, where he claimed Meloni “begged” for a photo at the G7 meeting. Meloni has publicly called Trump’s account “completely fabricated,” and her government has rallied to her defense. The dispute escalated to the point that Italy’s foreign minister canceled a planned trip to the United States.
Meloni responded directly to Trump, calling his attacks “senseless” and stating, “As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.” She further asserted, “my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
Fact-Checking Trump’s Statements
Trump’s claim that Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo has been directly refuted by Meloni, who labeled the story as “completely fabricated.” There is no evidence provided in the excerpt to support Trump’s version of events, while Meloni’s forceful denial and the Italian government’s reaction suggest the claim is false.
Trump also criticized Italy for not allowing the U.S. to use Italian bases during the Iran war, a decision that was in line with Italy’s constitutional constraints and strong domestic opposition. Meloni has maintained that any use of Italian bases for offensive operations would require parliamentary approval, a position consistent with Italian law and not a personal rebuff to Trump or the United States.
Ongoing Tensions with Europe
The spat with Meloni is the latest in a series of tensions between Trump and European leaders, stemming from disagreements over trade, military cooperation, and Trump’s foreign policy decisions. While Trump struck a more conciliatory tone with other European leaders at the G7, his public frustration with Meloni underscores ongoing divisions.
Conclusion
Trump’s recent statements about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit have been met with strong denials and pushback from Meloni and her government. His claims about her seeking a photo and about Italy’s cooperation during the Iran war are not supported by the facts presented in the excerpt. The episode highlights Trump’s continued willingness to make disputed or exaggerated claims about international partners, fueling diplomatic rifts and drawing public rebuttals from foreign leaders.