Newsletters
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday fired back at U.S. President Donald Trump after he claimed she had "begged" for a meeting and a photo with him during the G7 Summit in France, saying, "Italy and I never beg."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday pushed back forcefully against U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that she had “begged” him for a photo at the recent G7 summit, in remarks that triggered political backlash in Italy.
“Some things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I am frankly stunned,” Meloni said in a video posted on social media.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his allies, it’s not the first time. I can only say it is regrettable that he does not show the same determination toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States,” she added. “But there is one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg.”
Relations between Trump and Meloni had already been described as strained during the war that began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
Tensions reportedly emerged after Italy refused to open its military base in Sicily to U.S. aircraft and after Meloni criticized Trump's harsh remarks against Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Vatican.
Although their bilateral meeting during the June 15-17 G7 Summit in France had been seen as easing tensions, comments made by the U.S. president today sparked a new wave of criticism in Italy.
The dispute follows comments Trump made in a phone interview with Italian television La7 in which he said Meloni had insisted on taking a photo with him at the summit and that he agreed only reluctantly.
“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,” Trump said, according to La7, which didn’t publish the audio of the phone conversation with its U.S. correspondent.
The transcribed remarks prompted strong reactions in Italy, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a planned visit to the United States.
“Trump’s serious and offensive words toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for June 21 and 22,” Tajani wrote on the U.S. social media company X.
The episode signals growing tension between the Italian and U.S. leaders, who had previously maintained close ties. Meloni was the only European leader invited to Trump’s inauguration last year.
Trump has also clashed with Italy and other European allies in recent months over foreign policy and security issues. He criticized Rome for refusing the U.S. use of an air base in Sicily during the Iran conflict, accusing Italy of not being helpful and suggesting Meloni had “changed.”
He also drew criticism in Italy after attacking Pope Leo XIV over his stance on the war, comments Meloni publicly defended, adding to frictions with European partners.
More broadly, Trump has a history of sharp public criticism of allied leaders, including disputes with European partners over defense spending, trade and foreign policy, often accusing them of taking advantage of the U.S. or failing to do enough to support shared security goals.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Meloni had initially sought to play down any tensions after the G7 summit, saying relations with Trump remained unchanged and there were no “recriminations.”
Antonio Tajani, Italy's deputy prime minister and foreign minister in Meloni's government, also responded on the social media platform X.
"President Trump's serious and offensive remarks directed at Prime Minister Meloni hurt all of Italy. Therefore, I have decided to cancel my planned visit to the United States on June 21 and 22," Tajani wrote.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto described Trump's remarks as "another mistake in tone that benefits no one," adding that Meloni would never ask anyone for something such as a photo, even if she were under pressure.
Opposition parties on the left also condemned Trump's remarks while criticizing Meloni, whom they noted had previously boasted of being a close political ally of the U.S. president.
Lia Quartapelle, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party (PD), said, "The extremely harsh and hurtful language used by President Trump toward the prime minister is unacceptable. The person who has truly humiliated himself is Trump. He behaves like a bully who does not hesitate to damage relations with Italy. I disagree with Giorgia Meloni on many issues, but not when it comes to respect. I express my solidarity with her."
Riccardo Magi, leader of the More Europe Party, said, "Trump is becoming increasingly surreal. Now he is bullying Giorgia Meloni, one of his last remaining allies. I hope the Italian prime minister engages in some self-criticism over having made Italian foreign policy so dependent on the positions of this American administration."
Angelo Bonelli, leader of the Green and Left Alliance (AvS), called on Meloni to step aside for allowing such remarks to be made about her.
"Donald Trump's words are the result of the dependent nature of the relationship Meloni has established with the U.S. president. This dependence has damaged the dignity of Italy and the Italian people," Bonelli said.
Meloni and Trump maintained close political relations before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
Last year, Meloni was the only European leader invited to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony.
After the war began, it emerged on March 31 that Italy had refused to allow some U.S. aircraft heading to the Middle East to use the Sigonella Air Base on the island of Sicily.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV repeatedly called for an end to the war, while Trump sharply criticized the pontiff on April 12, describing him as "weak and terrible on foreign policy."
Meloni entered the dispute on April 13, saying the U.S. president's remarks about the pope were "unacceptable."
Trump then gave an interview to the newspaper Corriere della Sera on April 14, sharply criticizing Meloni, one of his closest allies in Europe.
"Are people happy with her? I could never have imagined this. I am shocked by her. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong," Trump said.
The two leaders, whose relationship had grown increasingly tense, met for the first time since the dispute during the G7 Summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17.
Sources from the Italian prime minister's office told the Italian media that the Meloni-Trump meeting had served as a "clarification."
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
