Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni clapped back at President Trump Saturday for what she called his “senseless” attacks – as their extraordinary transatlantic feud escalated.
The two leaders traded barbs on social media, with Meloni posting on Instagram shortly after Trump slammed her on his Truth Social account.
“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,” Meloni wrote on Instagram.
“My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.”
Then she referenced US use of military bases in Italy, saying they are governed by agreements “we have always respected.”
“In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours,” she concluded in sharp sign-off.
The spat began when Trump claimed at the G7 last week that Meloni had “begged” him to take a photo with her.
Meloni quickly rejected the claim in her own post on Friday, to which Trump responded on Truth Social earlier Saturday.
“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” the president insisted on his social media platform.
“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!),” Trump wrote.