The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, responded sharply to the verbal attacks launched against her by American President Donald Trump.
The White House leader once again claimed that Meloni had insistently asked him to take a photo together at the G7 summit and asserted that her declining popularity in Italy would prompt her to try to get closer to the USA.
"Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly asked me to take a picture together during the G7 meeting in France," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.
He launched new criticisms against the Italian leader, stating that Meloni "is doing poorly in terms of popularity in Italy" and claimed that Italy and "other so-called NATO allies" did not provide military support during the US and Israel's bombing campaign against Iran.
"Now, after the United States militarily defeated Iran, she wants us to be friends again to 'boost her numbers.' No, thank you!" Trump further wrote in his post.
Meloni tells Trump to mind his own business
"My response to the latest post by Donald Trump regarding me. But I will not dwell on the subject because I still believe in the unity of the West and I do not think this is a spectacle worthy of our duty," Giorgia Meloni wrote on Saturday on Facebook.
"These constant and unjustified attacks are absurd. As for my popularity, the fact that I am your friend has not helped it at all, 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 added.
"I have acted in the same way regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that I have always respected and will not be violated as long as I am prime minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation," Meloni emphasized, referring to Trump's criticisms about Italy's refusal to authorize the use of air bases for American bombings against Iran.
"In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you take care of your own," she finally told Trump.
Tensions between Trump and Meloni
On Friday, the White House leader stated in an interview for La7 that Giorgia Meloni "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit. He added that he felt sorry for the Italian Prime Minister.
In response, Giorgia Meloni rejected Trump's claims, calling them completely fabricated. In a video posted on social media, she expressed dismay at the American president's behavior towards allies.
The conflict between the two leaders arose in the spring after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for his calls for peace in the Middle East. Meloni defended the Sovereign Pontiff, deeming the American president's statements unacceptable.
T.D.