WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Saturday intensified his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, repeating claims that she failed to support American military operations against Iran.
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, renewing complaints about Italy’s role during the conflict.
Trump claimed that Italy had turned its back on the United States despite Washington providing “hundreds of billions of dollars” in security support to its allies.
The US president also alleged that Meloni repeatedly sought to take a photograph with him during the G7 summit in France in an effort to boost her popularity at home and improve relations.
“No thanks,” Trump wrote, dismissing the idea.
Meloni strongly rejected Trump’s accusations, describing them as “completely made up.”
“I am frankly stunned,” she said in a video posted on social media earlier.
The dispute further escalated after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to the United States, describing the US president’s comments as “serious and offensive.”
Source: Saudi Gazette