Trump insists Italy’s Meloni sought photos with him to boost popularity

What Happened

United States President Donald Trump escalated a personal dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on 17 May 2025, posting on Truth Social that Meloni repeatedly sought photo opportunities with him at the recent G7 summit in France to boost her domestic popularity after Italy failed to support US military action against Iran. Trump wrote: 'Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!!' Meloni responded on Instagram, calling the attacks 'senseless' and 'unprovoked' and insisting her popularity depends on defending Italy’s national interest. The row had begun on 15 May when Trump told Italian media that Meloni 'begged' him for a picture, a claim Meloni called 'made-up.' Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned visit to the US, labeling Trump’s remarks 'grave and offensive' to all of Italy. Meloni previously accused Trump of showing more deference to adversaries than partners, and the row originally flared in April when she defended Pope Leo XIV’s antiwar views amid the Iran conflict.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute marks a sharp deterioration in US–Italy relations at a critical moment, as Washington pursues military action against Iran and relies on European allied support. Italy, a NATO member and traditionally one of Trump’s closest European partners, has now distanced itself from the Iran operation, exposing divisions within the Western coalition over strategy toward Iran’s nuclear program. The rift also amplifies long-standing Trump grievances over NATO burden-sharing, potentially undermining alliance cohesion as the Iran crisis unfolds.

Watch For

Monitor whether Tajani’s canceled visit leads to further diplomatic measures such as ambassador recalls or stalled cooperation on Iran sanctions. Watch for Meloni’s domestic approval ratings and whether she continues to publicly criticize Trump’s alliance management. Upcoming NATO meetings and G7 follow-ups will test whether the personal feud spills into concrete policy disagreements, particularly on defense spending and the Iran file.