Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told US President Donald Trump on Saturday to focus on his own popularity after he accused her of trying to boost her domestic ratings by repairing ties with Washington. The exchange escalated a war of words that began when Trump alleged Meloni had 'begged' him for a photo during the Group of Seven summit in France.
Trump's Accusations and Meloni's Response
Trump repeated his assertion on Saturday, misspelling Meloni's name as 'Gigiorgia' on his Truth Social platform, claiming 'she wants to be friends again in order to get her numbers up.' He wrote, 'Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,' and suggested her popularity was plummeting due to her refusal to help the US in its conflict against Iran.
Meloni responded on Instagram in English, stating, 'President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.' She added, 'My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.' Meloni also noted that 'being his friend has certainly not helped' her popularity.
Popularity Polls Compared
Meloni's government, which took office in 2022, has seen public approval rise to around 35% in opinion surveys after a steady decline in 2025. Her Brothers of Italy party leads polls at approximately 28%, with the opposition Democratic Party at about 22%. In contrast, Trump, who was sworn in in January 2025, saw his approval rating tick up by one percentage point to 36% in recent days, still near the lowest levels of his political career, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Public dissatisfaction over the cost of living has grown less intense, contributing to the slight uptick.
Dispute Over Military Bases
Trump repeated earlier criticism of Rome for not allowing the use of US military bases in Italy during the war with Iran that the US and Israel began at the end of February. Meloni responded firmly, saying, 'Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated. As long as I am prime minister, Italy remains a sovereign nation.'
The exchange highlights tensions between the two leaders, with Meloni defending Italy's sovereignty and rejecting Trump's claims about her motivations. The G-7 summit photo incident has become a focal point for broader disagreements over foreign policy and domestic politics.
