2026 World Cup: Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni are tied at 2-2
Donald Trump launches a new attack against Giorgia Meloni. In a post published on Truth, the U.S. president once again attacked the Italian prime minister, claiming that during the G7 summit in France, “she repeatedly asked to take a photo with me.” Trump also linked the alleged decline in support for the leader of Fratelli d’Italia to her stance on the Iranian crisis: “She’s doing poorly in Italy in terms of popularity, perhaps because she rejected the United States of America—a country that truly loves and protects Italy—when it came to preventing Iran from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon (though NATO did the same thing!)”.
The former tycoon then doubled down, accusing Rome of failing to cooperate on the military front. “It didn’t even allow us to use Italian runways or air bases, creating a major logistical problem—and this despite the fact that the United States contributes hundreds of billions of dollars a year to protect Italy and the other so-called NATO allies,” he wrote. Then came the final jab: “Now that the United States has militarily defeated Iran, she wants to be friends again to boost her ‘numbers.’ No thanks!!!”
Meloni’s response was not long in coming. On social media, the Prime Minister rejected the accusations, calling them baseless: “President Trump, these constant and unwarranted attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly hasn’t helped it, 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. That is also what I have done regarding U.S. military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of her business. I suggest you focus on your own.”
The clash had already erupted the previous day, when, during a phone conversation with La7, Trump had revisited his face-to-face meeting with Meloni at the G7 summit in Evian—a meeting many described as the “thaw.” On that occasion, he had stated: “She begged me to take a photo with her. She wanted a photo with me so badly! I could have refused, but I felt sorry for her.” These words immediately sparked controversy and political reactions. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a visit to Miami, while President Sergio Mattarella contacted the prime minister. Expressions of solidarity came from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, as well as from various international leaders.
Meloni had already responded with a video posted on social media: “I’m stunned. Italy and I never beg. It’s a shame she doesn’t show the same determination toward the enemies of the West.” Trump, however, continued his attack, stating: “I don’t want her as a fan; she wasn’t there for Hormuz.”
