President Donald Trump reignited a public dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, asserting that she repeatedly sought a photograph with him at the recent G7 summit. This claim comes despite Meloni's direct denials and pushback from Italian officials.

Trump reiterated his accusation in a social media post, stating that the prime minister was persistent in her request for a picture together. Meloni, in turn, characterized Trump's assertion as fabricated and unprovoked.

The conflict escalated as Trump also criticized Meloni's perceived lack of support for the U.S. position regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. He suggested that her declining popularity in Italy was linked to her stance, which he characterized as a refusal to assist the United States in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a position he also attributed to NATO.

Trump further alleged that Meloni denied the U.S. access to Italy's landing strips, describing it as a significant logistical inconvenience, especially given the substantial financial contributions the U.S. makes to protect Italy and other NATO allies.

Meloni responded forcefully on social media, sharing a screenshot of Trump's post and directly addressing his remarks. She stated that Trump's attacks were senseless and that her popularity depends on her ability to defend Italy's national interests, not on her relationship with him.

She also reaffirmed Italy's support for the U.S. and the presence of U.S. military bases within her country. Meloni advised Trump to focus on his own popularity rather than commenting on hers, indicating that she would not pursue the matter further.

The dispute originated from an interview Trump gave to an Italian journalist, where he initially claimed Meloni was eager for a photo with him. The G7 summit, held this week, brought together leaders from major industrialized nations to discuss global economic and political issues.

This public exchange highlights ongoing tensions and differing diplomatic approaches between former President Trump and European leaders, particularly concerning international security and bilateral relations.