Trump says Meloni 'begged' for a photo; Italy's top diplomat cancels US visit

What Trump said

During an interview with the Italian television channel La7 on Thursday evening, US President Donald Trump told the Washington correspondent that Meloni had "begged" him to take a photo together at the recent G7 summit. "She wanted so much to have a photo with me. I wouldn’t have done it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said. He added that he "didn’t have to talk to her" but likely she was "happy" he did so anyway. The journalist, Andrea Compatangelo, said Trump spontaneously veered onto the topic of Meloni when he realized the reporter was Italian, ignoring questions about Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

She begged me to take a picture with her. I felt sorry for her.

Meloni hits back

Prime Minister Meloni responded within hours, calling Trump’s account "completely made up" in a video posted on social media. "I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards allies. It’s not the first time," she said. She criticised his lack of "determination" towards Western enemies, claiming he showed "more indulgence" towards them. "One thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg," Meloni declared.

Italy cancels bilateral visit

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Friday that he was cancelling his official visit to the United States, scheduled for June 21-22. "Serious and offensive words from President Trump against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy," Tajani wrote on X. The decision was backed by the entire ruling coalition, with Defence Minister Guido Crosetto saying he could not imagine Meloni "asking anyone for a photo, even under threat." Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted: "Who attacks Giorgia attacks all of us." President Sergio Mattarella phoned Meloni from Brussels to express solidarity.

A pattern of friction

The spat is the latest in a series of flashpoints. In April, Trump publicly accused Meloni of lacking courage over the war with Iran, expressing shock and disappointment. Tensions also rose after Meloni defended Pope Leon XIV from Trump’s criticism that he was "weak on crime" and "terrible on foreign policy." Italian sources also note Washington’s frustration with Rome’s refusal to allow US bombers use of the Sigonella air base in Sicily.

I imagine how much it will cost her not to comment, as she should, on this new lapse in style by the US president… such jokes serve no one: not the US, not Italy, not the alliance.

The timeline below traces the escalation.