Trump and Meloni Clash Over Selfie Claims and Italy's Role in Iran Standoff

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on his claim that Italian PM Giorgia Meloni had "begged" him for a selfie, saying she asked him "over and over" for a photo during the G7 summit in France.

Trump, apparently miffed by being given a cold shoulder by European allies during the Iran war, said Meloni's popularity has taken a dip ever since she refused the US access to Italy's landing strips or runways, which caused "a great logistical inconvenience" to American operations.

The remarks came after Meloni accused Trump of fabricating a story that she had "begged" him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit.

"Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. 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 posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

Declaring the United States a winner in the war against Iran, Trump said she wants to "be friends again" with the US to "up her numbers".

"She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!! President DJT," Trump wrote.

Donald Trump's post on Truth Social

Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected Trump's "begged for photo" claim, accusing him of fabricating a story.

Meloni described Trump's comments as "completely made up" and expressing disappointment.

Dismissing the claims outright, Meloni added: "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."

The dispute erupted after Trump, speaking to Italian television channel La7, claimed that Meloni had been eager to be photographed with him during the G7 gathering in France. He also reportedly remarked that Meloni was "probably happy" that he spoke with her at the summit.

The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who were once seen as close political allies. Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in 2025 and had long been viewed as one of his strongest supporters in Europe.

Meloni also recently publicly criticised Trump after he attacked Pope Leo over the pontiff's condemnation of the Iran conflict. Trump subsequently accused the Italian leader of lacking courage.