Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has fired back once more at US President Donald Trump via social media, rebutting his comments on her political standing and his repeated assertion that she asked repeatedly for a joint photograph.

Trump claimed on Saturday that the prime minister is faring badly in Italy regarding her approval levels.

He also charged that she did not back US moves to stop Iran from getting or building a nuclear device.

Meloni stated on Instagram that Trump's repeated, baseless criticisms made no sense.

She observed that her friendship with Trump has not aided her popularity, which does not rely on ties to him.

Meloni added that her standing is not Trump's affair and recommended he attend to his own.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump asserted that Meloni caused major logistical problems by blocking US use of Italian air bases for military actions against Iran.

The Italian leader replied that access to Italian facilities follows pacts always honored and which cannot be broken while she serves as prime minister.

On Friday, Meloni voiced surprise at Trump's first claim that she pleaded for a photo during a G7 session this week in France.

The ongoing exchange has revealed growing strains between the nations after Trump's military moves against Iran this year.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called off a planned trip to the US early next week.

Trump and Meloni were seen chatting closely at the G7 summit, after which the Italian leader told reporters their bond was steady and no hard feelings existed.

Soon after, Trump told Italy's La7 TV channel in a phone interview that she had begged for the photo and he felt sorry for her.

He said she was probably glad he spoke with her. La7 translated Trump's remarks into Italian rather than airing the English original.

Meloni replied in an Instagram video that she was frankly astonished.

She wondered why the US president treats allies this way, noting it was not the first such case.

Meloni stressed that neither she nor Italy ever pleads for favors.

Her words drew support from across Italy's political range.

The leaders had earlier disagreed when Trump labeled Pope Leo XIV weak on crime and poor on foreign policy in a Truth Social post and later told reporters he was not a supporter.

Meloni called those remarks unacceptable.

The two leaders have enjoyed close political ties, with Meloni the only European leader present at Trump's January 2025 inauguration.