US-Italy relations

Trump attacks Meloni again: “It’s not good”

The diplomatic spat between Italy and the US is now entering its third day. President Donald Trump is once again attacking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“After spending trillions of dollars on NATO and Italy, their Prime Minister would not even consider taking action against Iran and the very serious nuclear threat it poses,” Trump wrote.

“For decades we have defended them, but when they are put to the test, they are not even there to defend us and the rest of the world. It is not good,” he continued.

Over the past weekend, Trump has attacked Meloni on several occasions. The conflict escalated after Trump claimed that Meloni begged and asked to take a picture with him during the G7 summit, a claim that the Italian Prime Minister strongly denied.

As a result of the row, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has canceled a planned trip to the United States.

Analysis: Meloni is not the first person Trump has made up a story about

Donald Trump's claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni begged and asked for a photo with him during the G7 summit in France has led to a diplomatic row between the countries.

Although it is impossible to determine who is telling the truth in this particular case, Meloni would not be the first person Trump has made up a story about. CNN's Daniel Dale writes in an analysis.

"Trump is particularly fond of making such claims when he is talking about someone who previously supported him but later criticized him or his policies, as the conservative Meloni did earlier this year," Dale writes.

Corriere della Sera's Fiorenza Sarzanini writes that more attacks from Trump can be expected, while Meloni knows that the conflict must end because it has become personal.

The row has rallied the opposition behind her. Support also extends beyond Italy's borders.

"European leaders have not only supported her, but have even gone so far as to ask for selfies or photographs with her, sending a clear message to the US president," writes Sarzanini.