Italian Prime Minister Meloni on the 20th rebuked US President Trump’s recent criticism, calling his "sustained and baseless" attacks meaningless and saying he should focus on his own approval rating. She said her domestic support depends on her ability to defend Italy’s national interests, not her relationship with Trump. Trump had earlier posted that Meloni repeatedly sought photos with him at the G7 and suggested her support fell because she "refused" the US on Iran; he also criticized Italy’

Italian Prime Minister Meloni on the 20th rebuked US President Trump’s recent criticism, calling his "sustained and baseless" attacks meaningless and saying he should focus on his own approval rating. She said her domestic support depends on her ability to defend Italy’s national interests, not her relationship with Trump. Trump had earlier posted that Meloni repeatedly sought photos with him at the G7 and suggested her support fell because she "refused" the US on Iran; he also criticized Italy’s refusal to open airports for related US military operations.