Meloni tells Trump to 'focus on your own popularity' as row escalates

June 20, 2026

A public diplomatic dispute has erupted between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump, escalating through social media exchanges over the past several days. Trump criticized Meloni's popularity ratings in Italy and claimed she repeatedly requested photographs with him at the recent G7 summit in France, while also accusing her of blocking US military access to Italian air facilities for operations against Iran. Meloni responded sharply on Instagram, calling Trump's attacks "senseless" and "unprovoked," asserting that Italy does not beg and that her popularity is not Trump's concern.

Who is affected

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
US President Donald Trump
The Italian government and people
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
US-Italy diplomatic relations
Pope Leo XIV (mentioned in relation to earlier Trump criticism)
European allies observing the dispute
Italian politicians across the political spectrum (who supported Meloni's response)

What action is being taken

Trump is making public statements criticizing Meloni's popularity and accusing her of requesting photos
Meloni is responding to Trump's attacks through Instagram statements and videos
Italy is barring the US from using Italian air facilities for American military operations in Iran
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the US scheduled for early next week

Why it matters

This public dispute matters because it represents a significant breakdown in relations between two NATO allies and exposes growing transatlantic tensions. The rift affects military cooperation, particularly regarding Iran operations where Italy has denied the US access to Italian bases, demonstrating how personal conflicts between leaders can have tangible consequences for international security arrangements. The exchange is especially significant given that Meloni was previously one of Trump's closest European allies, having been the only European leader to attend his January 2025 inauguration, making the deterioration of their relationship a notable shift in the geopolitical landscape. The dispute also highlights Trump's confrontational approach with traditional allies, raising concerns about the stability of longstanding partnerships.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC