Meloni Fires Back After Trump Claims She ‘Begged’ for Photo
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply rebuked President Trump for claiming she begged him for a photo at the G7 summit, calling his statement fabricated and prompting Italy to cancel a planned U.S. visit.
Giorgia Meloni, 49, posted a video response on Instagram in which she flatly rejected the American president’s characterization of their interaction. She described Trump’s statements as completely fabricated and said she was frankly appalled by his remarks.
The Italian leader questioned why the President of the United States would behave in such a manner toward his allies, noting this was not the first instance of such conduct. She expressed regret that he does not demonstrate the same determination when dealing with enemies of the West and the United States.
The diplomatic fallout escalated when Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on X that he was canceling a planned visit to the United States scheduled for next week. Tajani stated that the serious and offensive words directed at Prime Minister Meloni were an insult to all of Italy.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also weighed in, saying he could not imagine Meloni asking anyone for a photo under any circumstances. He suggested the Italian leader had previously set aside Trump’s earlier comments to serve the interests of Italy, Europe, and the West, and noted how much it would cost her not to respond as this latest lapse in style deserved.
Crosetto warned that such jokes serve no one well, neither the United States, nor Italy, nor the alliance between them.
Once Close Allies Now Divided
Meloni was previously considered the European leader closest to Trump, 80, but the relationship has deteriorated over key global issues in recent months. The Italian prime minister has sided with her European counterparts over the Iran conflict and defended Pope Leo XIV after the American president criticized the pontiff for his opposition to US military action in the Middle East.
The two leaders were observed having an extended conversation on the sidelines of the G7 summit, which took place from Monday through Wednesday at the Evian-les-Bains resort on the shore of Lake Geneva.
In comments to Italian broadcaster La7, Trump claimed Meloni was probably happy he spoke with her and that he did not have to talk to her at all. She begged me to take a photo with her, he said, adding that he would not have done so but felt sorry for her.
The broadcaster released only a dubbed version of the interview rather than original audio of Trump’s remarks about the Italian leader. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the diplomatic dispute.
With information from New York Post
