US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly sought a photograph with him during the G7 Summit in France, alleging that she was attempting to boost her popularity in Italy. However, reacting to Trump's latest comments, Meloni rebuked him, saying, "my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.”
Trump claimed that Meloni was facing declining popularity in Italy and linked it to her stance on US efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon.
“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a country that truly
loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did Nato, for that matter!),” Trump said.
The US President also criticised Italy for not allowing the United States to use Italian landing strips or runways, describing it as a major logistical challenge.
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ Nato Allies,” Trump wrote.
Trump further claimed that after the US “defeated Iran militarily,” Meloni sought to improve ties with Washington. “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” Trump said in the post.