Trump doubles down on claims Meloni sought photo op for popularity boost

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sought a photo op with him to get her “numbers up” after refusing to support Washington in its war with Iran.

The latest exchange follows a dispute sparked by comments Trump made in a phone interview with Italian broadcaster La7 on Friday, in which the US president claimed Meloni had “begged” him for a photo during the G7 summit in Evian, France, and suggested he agreed “out of pity.”

The Italian PM dismissed the account as “completely fabricated,” but in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump reiterated his claim that Meloni had asked “over and over” for a picture with him.

“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America,” Trump wrote, accusing Rome of causing “a great logistical inconvenience” to Washington. “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks.”

Meloni retorted that “being your friend has certainly not helped me,” insisting that her standing at home depends solely on her “ability to defend Italy’s national interests.”

Earlier this year, Italy refused permission for US military aircraft to land at the Sigonella airbase in Sicily on their way to the Middle East, arguing that the mission fell outside bilateral agreements. Meloni said the pre-agreed limits on US logistical use of Italian bases “cannot be violated” while she remains prime minister.

“Italy is still a sovereign nation,” Meloni stressed, adding: “My popularity is none of your business. I’d suggest you focus on yours.”

The Italian premier was long regarded as one of Trump’s closest partners among European leaders and as a bridge between Washington and Brussels. She was the only European head of government to attend his inauguration in 2025.

Relations have deteriorated in recent months, however, amid disagreements over Iran and Meloni’s defense of Pope Leo XIV after Trump criticized the pontiff over his opposition to the conflict.

The public clash came just days after the two leaders appeared to patch up months of disagreements on the sidelines of the G7 summit.