Related videos:
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stood up to the U.S. President Donald Trump this Saturday with a direct message posted on her social media, after the president publicly attacked her again, claiming that her "popularity is in the gutter."
"These constant and unjustified attacks are absurd. As for my popularity, being your friend has not helped it at all, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is precisely what I have always done," wrote the Italian head of government.
In the same message, Meloni defended her country's sovereignty in response to Trump's criticism regarding the use of military bases: "Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated while I am prime minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation."
The head of state concluded her post with a phrase that sums up the tone of the exchange: «In any case, my popularity is not your concern. I suggest you focus on yours».
In a second message, Meloni announced that she would not extend the public debate: “because I continue to believe in the unity of the West and I don’t think this is a spectacle worthy of our task.”
The crisis between Rome and Washington escalated this Saturday when Trump posted on his social media platform Truth that Meloni " requested time and again to take a photo " with him during the G7 Summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 16 to 18.
Trump also accused her of refusing to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and of not allowing the use of Italian airstrips during the conflict, which he described as a "major logistical inconvenience," despite stating that "the United States contributes hundreds of billions of dollars each year to protect Italy."
The U.S. leader concluded his attack with an explicit rejection of any reconciliation: "Now, after Iran's military defeat at the hands of the United States, it wants to be friends again to 'improve its numbers.' No, thank you!!! President DJT."
The origin of the dispute was an interview that Trump gave to the Italian channel La7, in which he claimed to have taken a photo with Meloni "out of pity," as she had "begged" him to do so.
The prime minister responded on Friday with a video on social media in which she called those claims "completely fabricated" and said she was "frankly astonished," emphasizing: "Neither I nor Italy ever begged".
The background of the conflict is Italy's position during the war between the United States and Israel against Iran. Rome authorized the partial logistical use of its military bases but explicitly prohibited any combat action. The Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, clarified before Parliament that Italy "is not at war with anyone."
The first concrete diplomatic consequence of the crisis was the cancellation of the trip of Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, scheduled for this Sunday and Monday to Miami for the Business and Scientific Forum, after he described Trump's words as "serious and offensive" that "offend all of Italy."
Filed under: