US President Donald Trump sharply escalated a personal and diplomatic dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, linking a spat over a G7 summit photograph to broader tensions over Iran and NATO.
The clash has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and the prominent European right-wing leader, who sought to position herself as a bridge between Washington and the continent.
Trump initially claimed Meloni "begged" him for a picture and reiterated on Truth Social that she had asked "over and over." He accused her of seeking to improve relations solely to boost her domestic political standing after Italy did not support US military action against Iran.
"Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again, in order to get her 'numbers up.' No thanks!!!" Trump wrote. He also linked her political standing to her refusal to allow the US to use Italian runways during the conflict.
Meloni denied the claim as "made up" and expressed shock at the behavior, questioning why the president would treat allies this way while being more accommodating to adversaries.
The remarks triggered significant anger in Rome. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani promptly cancelled a planned visit to the US, calling Trump's words "grave and offensive" to the entire nation.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio labeled the comments a "painful injury" to bilateral ties. The backlash marks a stark reversal for Meloni, who had invested heavily in personal diplomacy with Trump and was previously viewed as one of his most natural European partners.