Meloni tells Trump to 'focus on your own popularity' as row escalates

Meloni tells Trump to 'focus on your own popularity' as row escalatesImage source, Handout via REUTERSImage caption, Giorgia Meloni talked to the US president on Wednesday at the G7 summit in Evian in FranceByJoshua CheethamPublished20 June 2026Italy's Giorgia Meloni has again hit back at US President Donald Trump on social media after he questioned her political popularity and repeated his claim that she asked "over and over" for a photo together.Trump said on Saturday that the prime minister was "doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity".He also accused her of not supporting US efforts to prevent Iran "from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon".In a statement on Instagram, Meloni said Trump's "constant, unprovoked attacks" were "senseless"."As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you," said Meloni."My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours," she added.Earlier on Saturday, Trump also said Meloni had caused "a great logistical inconvenience" by barring the US from using Italian air facilities for American military operations in Iran.But the Italian leader said the use of Italian bases "is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am prime minister".On Friday, Meloni said she had been astonished by Trump's initial claim that she "begged" for a photo during a G7 meeting this week in France.The continuing exchange between the pair has highlighted a developing rift between the two countries since Trump's military action against Iran this year. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the US early next week.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg': Mel...