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Photo row deepens
President Donald Trump escalated his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by insisting she asked “over and over” for a photo with him at the recent Group of Seven summit in France.
“Trump, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni feud online over G7 photo The prime minster has denied Trump's claims she "begged" for a photo”
Trump also criticized what he said was Italy’s lack of cooperation during the Iran war, writing that Meloni “turned down the United States of America” when it came to denying Iran “from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon.”
Meloni rejected Trump’s account, telling him in a statement that “these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless,” and adding that “My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.”
The dispute began after Trump told Italian media that Meloni “begged” for a photo during the G7 meeting in France, a claim Meloni called “completely fabricated.”
Tajani cancels trip
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to the United States after Trump’s comments, saying the president’s “grave and offensive” words towards Meloni “offend the whole of Italy.”
In response to Trump’s latest post, Meloni said on Instagram that “My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” while Trump continued to portray the exchange as something Meloni sought to boost her domestic standing.
ABC News reported that Trump repeated his “begged” claim in a social media post, insisting Meloni asked “over and over” for a photo with him, despite denials from Meloni and pushback from Italian ministers.
The row also triggered political commotion in Italy, with Tajani telling reporters “no one is allowed to offend Italy like the U.S. did,” according to ABC News.
NATO and Iran stakes
Beyond the photo dispute, Trump revived his complaint that Meloni would not allow the U.S. to use Italy’s landing strips or runways during the Iran war, calling it a “great logistical inconvenience.”
Meloni countered that the use of Italian bases “is government by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister,” as the BBC described the continuing exchange as highlighting a developing rift since Trump’s military action against Iran this year.
AP News said the spat comes as Trump’s relationship with Europe has long been fraying over issues including the U.S. decision to strike Iran and tensions expected to surface again as Trump travels to Turkey for the annual NATO summit next month.
NBC News reported that Trump and Meloni’s clash is tied to broader disputes over the Iran war and NATO, with Trump raising the Strait of Hormuz and complaining that NATO allies did not offer help to American forces after the war began.
