'Being Your Friend Has Not Helped My Popularity': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Their Feud Escalates
'Being Your Friend Has Not Helped My Popularity': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Their Feud Escalates Published By, Last Updated: June 20, 2026, 20:21
'Being Your Friend Has Not Helped My Popularity': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Their Feud Escalates Published By, Last Updated: June 20, 2026, 20:21 IST Meloni's remarks came after Trump claimed she repeatedly asked for a picture with him and accused her of trying to repair relations with the US to boost her falling popularity Rapid Read Italian PM Giorgia Meloni hit back at US President Donald Trump's latest remarks. (AFP) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hit back at US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks amid a growing diplomatic feud over his claim that she repeatedly sought a picture with him at the G7 Summit, saying being his friend had not helped her popularity in Italy. In the latest escalation of the rift, Trump asserted that Meloni repeatedly requested for a picture with him at the G7 Summit and accused her of trying to repair relations with Washington to boost her falling popularity after Italy failed to support US action against Iran. In a tersely worded response, Meloni said such constant and unprovoked attacks on US allies are senseless and defended her decisions to refrain from joining the US war effort in Iran.
“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you," she said on Instagram. “My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done. That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation," she added. “In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours." Trump-Meloni Rift Grows Trump had initially told Italian broadcaster La7 that Meloni “begged" him for a picture at this week’s G7 summit in France, saying he agreed only because he “felt sorry for her." His remarks prompted an angry response from Meloni, who called the claims “completely made up." In his latest remarks, Trump said Meloni had asked “over and over" for a photograph during the summit and suggested that her popularity in Italy was falling over her refusal to support US action in Iran.
Notably, Italy refused to allow the US aircraft to land in Italian territory and declined to join the US naval mission to open the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks marked a sharp escalation in the dispute that had already sparked outrage in Italy, and came at a time when Trump’s handling of the Ukraine war had unsettled several European allies. The dispute between Trump and Meloni is particularly remarkable because the latter had spent months cultivating close ties with the US president and had been viewed as one of his most natural partners in Europe. ALSO READ: From Vocal Supporter To Distant Partner: How The Trump-Meloni Relationship Evolved Over The Years Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Trump and was seen as his natural ally in Europe due to ideological alignment and strategic convenience. The relationship became strained after the Italian premier defended Pope Leo XIV from Trump’s criticism of the pontiff’s anti-war views, after which he accused her of failing to help the United States through NATO. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18.
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