Italy's Giorgia Meloni has once again fired back at Donald Trump on social media, after the US president questioned her political popularity and repeated his claim that she asked him "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," and accused her of not supporting US efforts to prevent Iran "from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon."

In a statement on Instagram, Meloni called Trump's "constant, unprovoked attacks" "senseless." She added: "As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours." Earlier on Saturday, Trump also claimed 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."

The continuing exchange 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. On Friday, Meloni said she had been "astonished" by Trump's initial claim that she "begged" for a photo during a G7 meeting in France. Trump told Italy's La7 TV channel: "She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her." Meloni responded in an Instagram video: "I don't know why the US president behaves this way towards allies... neither I nor Italy ever beg." She received support from across the Italian political spectrum. The leaders also clashed earlier this year after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV, calling him "WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy." Meloni called those comments "unacceptable." The two have had a close political relationship, with Meloni the sole European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in January 2025 - but that seems like a very long time ago now.