Trump reignites photo dispute with Meloni, who pushes back

A public spat between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has escalated, with Trump making fresh accusations against the Italian leader. Trump alleged on his Truth Social platform that Meloni persistently pleaded for a joint photograph during a recent summit, even misspelling her first name as "Gigiorgia."

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She repeatedly begged me for a photo.

Trump further accused Meloni of attempting to mend relations with the U.S. for domestic political reasons. He claimed Italy's refusal to allow the use of its airbases for U.S. military operations against Iran caused a significant logistical disadvantage. According to Trump, Meloni's renewed friendly overtures were aimed at boosting her "approval ratings" after the U.S. "militarily defeated Iran."

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These constant, unprovoked attacks are meaningless.

Meloni swiftly responded on Instagram, refuting Trump's assertions as "completely invented." She stated that the use of bases is subject to agreements that Rome has upheld. Meloni criticized Trump's "constant, unprovoked attacks," adding that associating with him had not helped her popularity. She advised Trump to focus on his own affairs.

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My popularity is none of your business. I suggest you focus on your own.

This exchange follows a previous interview where Trump told Italian television that he agreed to a photo with Meloni out of "pity." Meloni had previously described Trump's verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV as "unacceptable," and Italy had denied landing rights to several U.S. aircraft at the Sigonella base in Sicily for operations against Iran. In protest of Trump's latest remarks, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned visit to the U.S.

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She can consider herself lucky that I spoke with her. I didn't even have to talk to her.