Trump Criticises Italian PM Meloni Amid US-Italy Tensions

Moscow (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday (20/6) that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would no longer be able to “be friends” with the US in an attempt to boost her popularity ratings.

Trump’s statement follows tensions regarding a shared photograph and Italy’s failure to assist Washington in the conflict with Iran.

“Her popularity in Italy is declining, perhaps because she is rejecting the United States—a country that truly loves and protects Italy—in an effort to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons (even though NATO is doing the same!)” Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media account.

“Now, after the United States has defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again to ‘increase her support numbers’. No, thank you!!!” he added.

Trump repeated his claim that Meloni requested a photo together with him at the G7 summit in France, an allegation that Meloni has denied.

Furthermore, Trump also criticised Meloni for not allowing the US to use airbases in Italian territory during the conflict with Iran, despite Washington claiming to have spent billions of dollars to assist the defence of Italy and other NATO allies.

Trump told the Italian television channel La7 on Friday (19/6) that Meloni “begged” for a photo with him at the G7 summit in France, and that the US leader did so out of pity.

Meloni refuted the statement, describing Trump’s remarks as “entirely fabricated.” She emphasised that “neither she nor Italy” ever begged anyone.

As a result of the growing tensions, a number of high-level meetings between US and Italian delegations have reportedly been cancelled.