US3 min(s) read
Published 16:10 19 Jun 2026 GMT
Donald Trump has triggered yet another diplomatic row, now with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after claiming she “begged” to have her photograph taken with him during the recent G7 Summit.
The comments prompted outrage across Italy's political spectrum, with politicians accusing the US president of insulting not only Meloni but the country as a whole. Meloni later hit back publicly, rejecting Trump's version of events at the meeting.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster La7, Trump appeared dismissive of his interaction with the Italian leader. He opened the interview by asking: “How is your prime minister? What did she say when she met me? She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her.”
He then claimed: “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.”
Meloni, who had been among the European leaders attempting to strengthen ties with Trump during the summit, quickly rejected the comments. In a statement posted on Instagram, she wrote: “Donald Trump’s declarations are completely fabricated.”
Meloni added: “Frankly, I am stunned. Italy and I never beg. Some things deserve an immediate response. I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards his allies.”
Meloni also suggested Trump was directing his aggression at the wrong targets, saying: “It’s not the first time it’s happened. I can only say it’s unfortunate he doesn’t show the same determination towards the West’s enemies.”
The dispute comes after growing tensions between the two leaders. Although Meloni was once viewed as one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, and was the only European leader invited to his inauguration last year, their relationship has reportedly deteriorated over disagreements surrounding Iran and Trump's criticism of Pope Leo.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Trump's remarks and said he had cancelled a planned trip to the United States. Writing on X, Tajani said: “President Trump’s serious and offensive words towards prime minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy.” He added that “no one is allowed to offend Italy like the US did.”
Opposition figures also rallied behind Meloni despite their political differences. Former prime minister Giuseppe Conte accused Trump of trying to “humiliate” Italy, calling the comments “completely unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, centrist politician Carlo Calenda dismissed Trump's account entirely, saying: “Trump is a serial liar and a ridiculous bully. Personally, I don’t believe Giorgia Meloni begged for anything at all.”
Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli also weighed in, declaring: “No one should think they can offend Italy with impunity. There are no exceptions – the US included.”
The clash follows other recent disagreements between Washington and Rome, including Italy's refusal to allow US military aircraft involved in strikes on Iran to use a strategic base in Sicily. Trump later expressed disappointment in Meloni, saying: “She’s no longer the same person, and Italy will never be the same country again.”
After Meloni defended the Pope against Trump's criticism, the US president responded by saying: “She is the one who is unacceptable, because she doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow Italy to smithereens in two minutes if she had the chance. I’m shocked by her. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong.”
Trump's latest comments appear to have achieved the rare feat of uniting both government and opposition politicians in Italy, with leaders from across the political spectrum expressing solidarity with Meloni and condemning what they viewed as a personal and national insult.
