President Donald Trump took another social media potshot at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday.
As part of a flurry of dozens of posts and reposts on Truth Social, Trump shared a pic of himself with Meloni ― who is about a foot shorter ― looking up at him during the recent G7 summit in France.
“RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED” he wrote:
Trump, who last year called Meloni “a beautiful young woman” while also complaining he’s “not allowed to say it,” started a feud with the world leader in June when he claimed she “begged” him for a photo at the summit.
“She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” Trump said.
In a video on social media, Meloni hit back, saying Trump’s story was “completely fabricated.”
“Italy and I do not beg,” she declared.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani then canceled his trip to the United States in protest of Trump’s claim, which he called “serious and offensive.”
Before long, a moment between Meloni and Trump at the summit went viral, and it was footage the image-conscious U.S. president likely wasn’t happy about:
Trump hit back days later, saying Meloni had asked for a pic “over and over.” He also told NBC News that Meloni “was a big fan” of his.
“But I don’t want her as a fan because she was not there ― along with the NATO group ― having to do with the strait,” he said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a sticking point in Trump’s negotiations to end his war on Iran.
Trump also said Meloni needed the photo because “she is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity.”
“My popularity is none of your concern,” she fired back. “I suggest you focus on yours.”
Things seemed to quiet between the two leaders for a couple of weeks until Trump made his “restraining order” post on Sunday. Meloni has not yet responded, but Trump’s critics on X blasted him for the post:
