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Donald Trump’s new attack against Giorgia Meloni. On his social network Truththe president of the United States accuses the prime minister of not having allowed the US to use Italian runways during the war with Iran and rejects an alleged rapprochement with a firm “No, thanks”. The Prime Minister’s response was immediate, speaking of “totally invented” statements, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled the visit to the United States scheduled for 21 and 22 June.
Trump’s accusation on the Italian slopes
In his message, Trump claims that Italy would not have allowed the use of national airports during operations against Tehran: “It did not even allow us to use the Italian landing or take-off runways, causing significant logistical inconvenience,” he writes, claiming Washington’s contribution to the defense of Italy and the other ‘so-called’ NATO allies. According to the US president, now that the United States has “militarily defeated Iran”, the prime minister would like to “go back to being a friend” to boost her ‘numbers’: “No, thanks”. Trump also repeats the accusation, already made in recent days, according to which Meloni repeatedly asked him for a photo during the G7 summit in France, and links the prime minister’s decline in popularity to an alleged about-face towards the United States, “a country – he states – that truly loves and protects Italy”.
Melons to Trump: my popularity doesn’t concern you, focus on yours
«President Trump, these continuous and unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend the Italian national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote this commenting on the post with the US president’s new attack on social media. «This is what I did – he adds – also regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is regulated by agreements that we have always respected and which cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister. Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your business. I suggest you focus on yours.”
«My response to Donald Trump’s latest post that concerns me – he adds – But I will not return to the topic, because I still believe in the unity of the West and I don’t think this is a show worthy of our task».
Tajani cancels Miami, transversal solidarity
On an institutional level, the most immediate consequence is Tajani’s decision to cancel the mission to the United States scheduled for 21 and 22 June, when he was expected at a business forum in Miami: “serious” and “offensive” words towards the whole of Italy, the head of the Farnesina wrote on X. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto spoke of a “lapse in style”, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini commented: “Whoever attacks Giorgia attacks us all”. Criticism also came from the opposition, in solidarity with the prime minister.
From the Strait of Hormuz to the G7 in Évian: the context
The conflict has its roots in recent months, when relations between Rome and Washington broke down around the Italian line on the offensive against Iran, in particular on the lack of support for operations in the Strait of Hormuz and on the use of national bases. After Trump’s first attacks on the prime minister and an attempt to thaw which culminated in the G7 meeting in Évian (15-17 June), tension has risen again with the US president’s latest statements.