ROME: A public diplomatic row has erupted between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump after Trump claimed in a televised interview that she had “begged” him for a photograph, a remark that Italy has firmly rejected as false and disrespectful.
Meloni said she was “frankly stunned” and “astonished” by Trump’s comments, describing them as entirely “made-up.” She insisted that at no point did she ask for or “beg” for any photo with the US president, adding in a pointed response that “neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
The controversy began after Trump, in a phone interview with Italian broadcaster La7, alleged that Meloni had sought a photo opportunity with him during the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, saying he “felt sorry for her.” His remarks quickly circulated in Italy and triggered immediate political backlash.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has reportedly cancelled a planned visit to the United States, signaling the seriousness of the diplomatic fallout. President Sergio Mattarella also contacted Meloni to express institutional support, while leaders across Italy’s political spectrum condemned Trump’s remarks as offensive and humiliating.
During the G7 summit, Meloni and Trump were seen in several cordial exchanges, including a brief conversation on a sofa that appeared friendly and relaxed. Following the meeting, Meloni had publicly stated that relations remained stable and that there had been “no recriminations” between the two sides.
However, Trump’s subsequent comments have sharply contradicted that tone, reviving tensions that have been building in recent months. Relations between the two leaders had already shown strain following policy differences, particularly over the US approach to Iran, where Meloni openly distanced herself from Washington’s military stance.
The dispute has also revived broader concerns in Europe about shifting transatlantic relations. Analysts say the episode reflects a growing willingness among European leaders to publicly challenge Washington rather than maintain automatic alignment, a shift driven by recent geopolitical tensions and changing domestic political pressures across the continent.
Observers note that Meloni was previously seen as one of Trump’s closest European interlocutors, even attending his inauguration in 2025, but the latest clash underscores how quickly that alignment has deteriorated.
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