Trump and Meloni's Tensions Escalate Following G7 Dispute
WHO:
Fox News - President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Euronews.com - President Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni
BBC - Giorgia Meloni
Newsweek - President Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni
WHAT:
Fox News - Trump stated that Meloni "rejected being friends with her" after Italy refused to help the U.S. amid the Iran war.
Euronews.com - Trump claimed that Meloni's popularity is suffering because she turned down U.S. support regarding Iran, stating, "possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy."
Euronews.com - Trump added that Meloni wants to be friends again "in order to get her 'numbers up.'"
Fox News - Trump stated that Meloni "wants to be friends again" after Italy refused to help the U.S. amid the Iran war.
Euronews.com - Trump expressed that he "felt sorry for Meloni" after she "begged me to take a picture with her" during their meeting at the G7 summit.
Euronews.com - Meloni responded to Trump's remarks by stating, "As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you."
Euronews.com - Trump claimed that Meloni's popularity is suffering because she turned down U.S. support regarding Iran, stating, "Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her 'numbers up.'"
Fox News - Trump stated that Meloni did not allow the U.S. to use Italy's landing strips in its war against Iran.
Euronews.com - Trump claimed Meloni asked him "over and over" for a photo during their meeting at the G7 summit.
Euronews.com - Meloni described Trump's claims as "completely made up" and stated that neither she nor Italy begs anyone for anything.
Euronews.com - Meloni responded to Trump's remarks by saying, "These constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless."
Euronews.com - Trump said Meloni's popularity in Italy is suffering because she turned down U.S. support regarding Iran.
Newsweek - Trump reiterated that Meloni said, "Neither I, nor Italy, ever beg."
WHERE:
BBC - Meloni stated that the use of Italian bases "is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister."
Euronews.com - The G7 summit took place in France.
BBC - Italian bases are governed by agreements that must be respected.
WHY:
Euronews.com - Relations between Trump and Meloni have grown increasingly fractious due to Italy's refusal to provide U.S. support for operations in Iran and Meloni's defense of Pope Leo XIV against criticism from the Trump administration.
Euronews.com - Tensions between Trump and Meloni escalated after Italy refused to provide support for U.S. operations in Iran and after Meloni defended Pope Leo XIV against criticism from the Trump administration.
HOW:
Euronews.com - Trump communicated his views through a post on his Truth Social account.
(UPDATED June 20, 2026 23:20 UTC)
Trump has expressed frustration with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, stating she "rejected being friends with her" after Italy declined to support the U.S. in the ongoing conflict in Iran. He also claimed that Meloni's popularity is waning because of her decision to turn down U.S. assistance, suggesting that she may want to rekindle their friendship to boost her approval ratings. Relations between Trump and Meloni have become strained, particularly due to Italy's refusal to back U.S. operations in Iran and her defense of Pope Leo XIV against criticism from the Trump administration.
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(UPDATED June 20, 2026 19:20 UTC)
Trump recently remarked that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "wants to be friends again" after Italy declined to assist the U.S. during the Iran war. He expressed sympathy for Meloni, recalling how she "begged me to take a picture with her" at the G7 summit, while she countered that her popularity has not benefited from their friendship. Meloni also emphasized that the use of Italian bases is governed by agreements that must be respected, stating, "that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister."
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(UPDATED June 20, 2026 17:22 UTC)
Tensions are rising between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following Italy's refusal to support U.S. operations in Iran, with Trump claiming Meloni did not allow the U.S. to use Italian landing strips. During their meeting at the G7 summit in France, Trump stated that Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo, while she countered that his claims were "completely made up" and emphasized that neither she nor Italy begs anyone for anything. Trump expressed that Meloni's popularity is waning in Italy due to her decision on U.S. support, and he shared his views through a post on his Truth Social account.