Meloni Rebukes Trump Over Photo Claim, Defending Italy's Sovereignty as 86% of Italians View Him Unfavorably
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Jul 6
Meloni Rebukes Trump Over Photo Claim, Defending Italy's Sovereignty as 86% of Italians View Him Unfavorably
3 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Jul 6
Summary
Giorgia Meloni publicly hit back at Donald Trump after he said she had "begged" for a G7 photo, writing that his repeated attacks were "senseless" and that Italy "remains a sovereign nation."
Trump had escalated the dispute with Truth Social posts and a meme mocking Meloni, while also claiming she was weak at home because she refused U.S. requests tied to Iran and use of Italian bases.
Italy's response has moved beyond a personal spat: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned U.S. trip, calling Trump's remarks offensive to Italy.
The clash is especially risky for Meloni because only 7% of Italians viewed Trump favorably in April, while 86% viewed him unfavorably, making visible deference to Washington politically costly.
Ahead of NATO's Ankara summit, the feud underscores a broader tension in Trump's nationalist alliances: leaders can align on migration, defense and Brussels, but still resist any appearance of taking orders from the U.S.