Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Friday after he claimed she had “begged” him for a photograph during this week’s G7 summit in France, triggering a rare public dispute between two leaders once viewed as close political allies.
The disagreement erupted after comments Trump made in an interview with Italian broadcaster La7 following the summit.
According to a dubbed version of the interview released by the broadcaster, Trump suggested Meloni was eager to be photographed with him during the gathering of world leaders.
“She begged me to take a photo with her,” Trump said. “She wanted a photo with me so much. I wouldn’t have even done it, but I felt sorry for her.”
Meloni responded forcefully Friday in a video posted to social media.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly appalled,” the Italian leader said.
“I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened,” she added.
Meloni also suggested Trump should direct more attention toward geopolitical adversaries rather than America’s partners.
“I can only say it’s a pity that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States,” she said.
The dispute quickly escalated beyond the two leaders.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was canceling a planned trip to the United States next week, citing Trump’s remarks as the reason for the decision.
“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media.
Other senior Italian officials also rallied behind the prime minister.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto dismissed the notion that Meloni would seek a photo opportunity with any world leader.
“I can’t imagine Giorgia Meloni asking anyone for a photo, not even under threat,” Crosetto said.
The public disagreement marks a significant deterioration in what had previously been viewed as one of Trump’s strongest relationships among European leaders.
Meloni, a conservative nationalist who became Italy’s prime minister in 2022, was often described by political observers as one of Trump’s closest ideological allies in Europe.
However, recent geopolitical developments have exposed divisions between the two leaders.
According to reports, Meloni has increasingly aligned herself with other European leaders on issues surrounding the conflict involving Iran and broader Middle East policy.
She has also defended Pope Leo XIV following criticism directed at the pontiff by Trump over comments related to American military actions in the region.
The two leaders were photographed together multiple times during the G7 summit, which took place this week in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Images from the event showed Trump and Meloni engaged in lengthy conversations on the sidelines of meetings with other world leaders, per the New York Post.
The controversy nevertheless highlighted growing tensions between Washington and Rome at a time when both countries continue to cooperate on major international issues involving security, trade and global conflicts.
