Meloni Hits Back at Trump Over Popularity Comments and Growing Political Dispute

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly responded to comments made by US President Donald Trump after he criticized her political popularity and questioned her position on international issues.

Trump recently claimed that Meloni’s popularity in Italy was declining and criticized her government’s approach toward US efforts related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He also expressed frustration over Italy’s decision regarding the use of military facilities for American operations.

Meloni rejected the criticism, saying her public support is not connected to her relationship with any foreign leader. She described the repeated remarks as unnecessary and said political popularity should be judged by voters.

The disagreement grew after Trump made comments about their meeting at the G7 summit in France. Trump suggested that Meloni had repeatedly wanted a photograph with him, a claim the Italian leader denied.

Meloni responded by saying that neither she nor Italy would seek approval from other countries. She emphasized that Italy makes decisions based on its own interests and agreements.

The dispute has drawn attention because Meloni and Trump have previously maintained a strong political relationship. The Italian leader attended Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and has often supported cooperation between Italy and the United States.

However, recent disagreements over foreign policy and diplomatic issues have created visible tensions between the two governments. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also delayed a planned visit to the United States following the latest exchange.

"Whether the agreements signed today translate into meaningful change remains an open question."