Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly rejected a claim by US President Donald Trump that she "begged" him for a photograph during this week's G7 summit, opening an unusually public dispute between two leaders once regarded as close political allies.
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Meloni said she was "frankly stunned" by Trump's remarks, which he made during a telephone interview with Italian broadcaster La7. According to the broadcaster's translation, Trump said: "She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her."
The Italian leader dismissed the account as entirely fabricated and used a message on Instagram to express her disbelief.
"I don't know why the US president behaves this way towards allies," Meloni said. "But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."
The dispute has prompted a diplomatic response from Rome. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a planned visit to the United States, while the White House has not publicly responded to requests for comment.
Relationship Under Strain
The exchange comes despite the two leaders appearing cordial at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Video footage from the gathering showed Trump and Meloni engaged in lengthy conversations, including a widely circulated clip of the pair speaking on a sofa during the summit.
After the meeting, Meloni told reporters there had been no disagreements between them and that their relationship remained unchanged.
However, tensions between the two have been growing in recent months, particularly since Trump's decision to launch military action against Iran. Meloni has openly opposed the conflict, creating a significant policy divide between Rome and Washington.
Once viewed as one of Trump's closest partners in Europe, Meloni attended his inauguration in January 2025 and was seen by many European leaders as a potential intermediary between the United States and the European Union.
Relations began to cool after disagreements over Iran and other international issues. Earlier this year, Trump questioned Meloni's political courage after she criticised US policy, while she also condemned his criticism of Pope Leo XIV as unacceptable.
Italian Leaders Rally Behind Meloni
Political figures across Italy quickly came to Meloni's defence following Trump's latest comments.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella reportedly contacted the prime minister to express support. Opposition politicians and coalition allies alike criticised Trump's remarks as disrespectful toward Italy and its elected leader.
Members of Meloni's governing coalition argued that the footage from the G7 summit contradicted Trump's description of events and suggested his criticism reflected broader frustrations with European leaders who have increasingly challenged US positions.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini voiced support for Meloni, declaring that attacks on her amounted to attacks on the country as a whole.
Wider European Shift
The disagreement reflects a broader change in Europe's approach to Trump. Several European leaders have become more willing to publicly oppose Washington on foreign policy issues, including the conflict with Iran.
Officials and diplomats across Europe have increasingly discussed strengthening the continent's strategic independence, amid concerns about relying too heavily on the United States.
Political analysts also note that some right-wing European parties that once viewed Trump as a natural ally have begun putting greater distance between themselves and his administration as they respond to changing public opinion ahead of elections across Europe.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 June 2026