Trump says Meloni begged for photo at G7, drawing denial and cancelled visit from Italy
US President Donald Trump told Italian television that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 'begged' him for a photograph at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains. Meloni called the assertion 'totally invented,' and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned June 21-22 visit to Washington.
Trump's on-air claim
In a phone interview with the Italian programme L'Aria che Tira on La7, President Trump said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had pleaded for a picture during the G7 summit held this week in Évian-les-Bains, France. "She begged me to take a picture with her," Trump stated, adding that he would not have taken it but "felt sorry for her." He also questioned whether she was merely pleased he had spoken to her at all, remarking that he was under no obligation to do so.
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 remarks came during a wider interview in which Trump criticised European policies on energy and immigration, calling them "a disaster."
Immediate denial from Rome
Within hours, Meloni pushed back on Instagram, describing the account as "completely invented." She expressed astonishment and said neither she nor Italy ever begs. The premier broadened her criticism, suggesting the US leader showed less resolve towards Western adversaries.
The statements of Donald Trump are completely invented. Frankly, I am astonished. I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his allies. It is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and the United States, whose leaders he treats with much more indulgence. I and Italy never beg.
Diplomatic fallout
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reacted by cancelling a visit to the United States that had been scheduled for 21–22 June. He said Trump's words offended the entire nation, underscoring the rupture between the two allies.
The grave and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason I have decided to cancel my visit.
A relationship under strain
The episode deepens a rift that had been apparent since Italy refused Washington permission to use an air base in Sicily during the Iran war. Meloni had been a close partner, the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration, but relations cooled sharply after that disagreement. At the G7 itself, an exchange captured on video showed Trump telling Meloni she had "abandoned" him, to which she replied with a laugh that he had not been abandoned.
