19/06/2026
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19/06/2026
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ROME, Jun 19: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, calling the comments “completely made up” and sparking political backlash in Italy.
In a video message posted on social media, Meloni said she was “frankly stunned” by Trump’s remarks and questioned why the US president would speak this way about allies.
“I and Italy never beg,” Meloni said, adding that she found it regrettable that Trump appeared to show greater criticism toward allies than toward opponents of the United States.
The dispute began after Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 in a phone interview that Meloni had insisted on taking a photo with him at the G7 summit and that he had agreed reluctantly.
“She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly,” Trump was quoted as saying, adding that he agreed because he “felt sorry for her.”
The comments triggered a strong reaction in Italy, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a planned visit to Washington.
“Trump’s serious and offensive words toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media, announcing that he had canceled his June 21-22 US trip.
The episode marks a new strain in relations between Trump and Meloni, who had previously maintained close ties. Meloni was the only European leader invited to Trump’s inauguration last year and had positioned herself as one of Washington’s strongest partners in Europe.
However, tensions have grown in recent months over several issues, including foreign policy disagreements, security matters and Italy’s decision not to allow the US to use an air base in Sicily during the Iran conflict. Trump criticized Rome’s position and suggested Meloni had changed.
Trump has also faced criticism in Italy after comments targeting Pope Leo XIV over his views on the war, with Meloni publicly defending the pontiff.
Despite the latest dispute, Meloni had previously attempted to downplay any tensions following the G7 summit, saying relations with Trump remained stable and there were no “recriminations.”
