Meloni rejects Trump’s claim about G7 photo, Italy cancels US visit

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she had begged him for a photograph at the recent G7 summit, calling his remarks false and saying she was astonished by them.

The exchange, reported after comments Trump gave to Italian television channel La7, signals a fresh worsening in relations between the two leaders. Video from the summit in France showed Meloni and Trump in an extended conversation, but Trump later portrayed the encounter as one in which he had simply indulged her.

Trump said, according to La7’s translation:

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.

The channel did not air the original audio and instead broadcast a dubbed version.

Meloni responded by flatly denying the account and criticizing Trump’s conduct toward allies.

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.

She went on to say:

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.

Meloni also added:

There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.

Italian foreign minister cancels trip

Following Trump’s remarks, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was cancelling a planned visit to the United States that had been scheduled for June 21 and 22. In a post on X, Tajani condemned the comments and said they had insulted the country as a whole.

The grave and offensive words of President Trump.. offend the whole of Italy.

The latest dispute comes only days after the G7 summit had appeared to show some improvement in ties between the two right-wing leaders, whose relationship had already been strained earlier this year over the war in Iran.

Meloni had previously maintained close relations with Trump and initially supported his demand that European NATO members increase defence spending. However, after the war began, she distanced herself from him by criticizing his attacks on Pope Leo over the pontiff’s condemnation of the Iran conflict. That, in turn, drew a sharp response from Trump, who accused her of lacking courage.