President Donald Trump has sharpened his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, escalating a public feud that erupted after their tense encounter at the Group of Seven summit in France last week. In an interview Friday with NBC News's Gabe Gutierrez, Trump dismissed Meloni's denial of his earlier remarks, insisting she had sought his favor.
“She was a big fan,” Trump said. “But I don’t want her as a fan because she was not there — along with the NATO group — having to do with the strait.” The president appeared to reference his push for European allies to contribute more to securing the Strait of Hormuz, a flashpoint in his administration's confrontation with Iran.
The exchange marks a sharp deterioration in what was once a cordial relationship between the two right-wing leaders. Trump earlier this week told an Italian journalist from La7 TV that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo at the summit. “She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” he said, according to Reuters.
Meloni fired back in a video posted to social media, calling Trump’s account “completely fabricated.” She said she was “astounded” by the president’s behavior. “I do not know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his allies — it is certainly not the first time this has happened,” she said. “I can only say it is regrettable that he does not show the same determination against the enemies of the West and the United States — against leaderships with whom he actually proves to be much more accommodating.”
The dispute is rooted in deep policy disagreements over Iran. Trump has lashed out at Meloni and other U.S. allies who criticized his handling of the Iran conflict, including his controversial deal regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Critics have labeled the accord an “instrument of surrender,” as noted in a recent analysis.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was canceling a planned visit to Washington, scheduled for June 21-22, shortly before Meloni’s video statement. “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media. “For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States.”
The diplomatic fallout underscores the fragility of transatlantic ties under Trump’s second term. His administration’s approach to Iran has drawn sharp rebukes from European allies, with some calling it a strategic blunder worse than the Obama-era pact. A recent poll shows Trump’s approval on Iran remains low despite the new deal.
Meloni’s accusation that Trump is more accommodating to adversaries than allies echoes broader concerns among European leaders. The incident has also prompted renewed scrutiny of Trump’s confrontational style, with some commentators comparing it to the unprecedented graft scandals that have marred his presidency.
