Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that she “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit, describing the remarks as completely fabricated and damaging to relations between allies.
The dispute erupted after Trump, speaking during an interview with Italian television network La7, claimed Meloni was eager to be photographed with him during the summit in Évian, France. “She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” Trump reportedly said.
Meloni responded publicly in a video posted on social media, dismissing the comments as false and expressing disappointment with the US president. “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg,” Meloni said.
The Italian leader added that Trump’s account of events was entirely inaccurate. “Donald Trump’s declarations are totally invented. Frankly, I am stunned. I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards his allies.”
Meloni further criticised Trump’s approach to international relations, suggesting he appeared harsher toward allies than toward geopolitical adversaries. “I can only say it is unfortunate he does not show the same determination towards the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,” she said.
The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who previously maintained a close political relationship rooted in shared conservative and nationalist positions. Their ties reportedly became strained following disagreements over the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo.
Trump and Meloni held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in an apparent effort to repair relations, but the latest remarks have reignited tensions. The comments sparked backlash across Italy, with politicians from both the government and opposition rallying behind the prime minister.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Trump’s remarks, describing them as offensive to both Meloni and Italy. He subsequently announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States. “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy,” Tajani said. Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also criticised Trump, saying Italy did not deserve to be “so blatantly humiliated”.
Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, warned that Trump’s comments risk damaging long-standing transatlantic relations. “With his inappropriate outbursts, he has managed no easy feat: making the United States unpopular across the entire European continent, damaging not only Europe but above all the United States,” Fazzolari said.
The public dispute highlights growing tensions between Washington and several European allies at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with observers closely watching whether the latest exchange will further strain relations between the United States and Italy.