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Trump again claimed that Meloni asked “over and over” for a photograph with him at the G7 Summit, adding that she was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity”.
US President Donald Trump with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Summit. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on a feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming that she repeatedly asked him for a picture at the G7 Summit. He also said Meloni’s popularity ratings in Italy were falling and she was trying to be friends with the US again “to get her numbers up.”
The feud erupted when Trump claimed Meloni “begged” him for a photograph and that he had obliged her because he felt “sorry for her”. Meloni issued a scathing response, calling Trump’s claims “completely made up” and criticising him for attacking his own allies.
However, Trump chose to escalate the matter further on Saturday, highlighting that she turned down the United States, despite Washington contributing hundreds of dollars a year to protect her country.
“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. 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!),” he said on Truth Social.
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the US contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!!”
Trump’s Remarks Angers Italy
Meloni on Friday accused Trump of fabricating a story about her and said she was “appalled” by his “completely made-up” comments. She also criticised Trump for mistreating his allies, while treating the enemies of the West and the US with far more indulgence.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened,” she said in a video on X.
“I can only say it’s a shame that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating,” she added.
ALSO READ: From Vocal Supporter To Distant Partner: How The Trump-Meloni Relationship Evolved Over The Years
Trump’s remarks angered Meloni’s government, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelling a planned visit to the US next week. “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy,” he said.
Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, said, “It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude (Trump) is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe.”
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More
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