Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump after he claimed she had “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit. Meloni called the remarks false and expressed disappointment over what she described as Trump’s treatment of allies.
The exchange marks a sharp decline in relations between the two leaders, who had appeared to improve ties during the G7 summit in France. The latest dispute comes months after disagreements over the conflict in Iran.
Trump’s Comments Spark Controversy
Trump made the remarks during an interview with Italian television channel La7. According to the broadcaster’s translation, Trump suggested that Meloni was fortunate he had spoken with her during the summit.
“She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her,” Trump was quoted as saying after bringing up the Italian prime minister during the interview.
Trump also claimed that Meloni had requested a photograph with him.
“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,” he said, according to La7’s translation.
The channel released only a dubbed version of the interview and did not publish the original audio.
Meloni Rejects Trump’s Version
Responding on Friday, Meloni firmly denied Trump’s claims and accused him of inventing the story.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished. I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover,” Meloni said.
She also criticized Trump for what she described as a softer attitude toward countries and leaders opposed to the West.
“I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,” she said.
Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. pic.twitter.com/sTpKlqWB67
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 19, 2026
Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. pic.twitter.com/sTpKlqWB67
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 19, 2026
Meloni ended her response with a direct message to Trump.
“There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Relationship Between the Leaders Continues to Deteriorate
Video footage from the G7 summit showed Meloni and Trump engaged in a lengthy conversation. However, Trump suggested that he had only spoken to her as a courtesy.
Meloni was once considered one of Trump’s strongest supporters in Europe. She attended his inauguration in 2025 and was the only European leader present at the event.
However, relations later cooled after Meloni criticized Trump for attacking Pope Leo over the pontiff’s criticism of the Iran conflict. Following the outbreak of the war, Meloni distanced herself from Trump’s position, leading Trump to accuse her of lacking courage.
The latest exchange highlights growing tensions in what was once seen as one of Trump’s closest political partnerships in Europe.
Italian Foreign Minister Cancels US Visit
The controversy soon expanded beyond the verbal clash. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was canceling his planned visit to the United States on June 21 and 22, calling Trump’s remarks an insult to both Meloni and Italy.
“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June,” Tajani tweeted.
First published on: Jun 19, 2026 06:33 PM IST
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