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Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hit back at US President Donald Trump's claim that she begged him for a photo opportunity at the G7 summit. Trump made the accusation in a phone interview with Italian TV.
Giorgia Meloni is Italy's Prime Minister, a position she has held since 2022. She is the leader of the Brothers of Italy party and has been a vocal critic of Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.
The G7 summit took place at Evian-les-Bains in eastern France this week. Trump and Meloni were seen in close conversation at the summit, and later told reporters their relationship was unchanged and there had been 'no recriminations'.
But in a phone interview with Italian TV, Trump alleged: 'She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her.' Meloni reacted in total disbelief, saying she was 'frankly stunned' and that she 'don't know why the US president behaves this way towards allies'.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the US early next week in protest of Trump's comments. Figures from across the political spectrum in Italy have also sprang to Meloni's defence, with some calling Trump's comments 'arrogant' and 'humiliating'.
The two leaders were filmed several times at the summit, including while they appeared engrossed in conversation on a small sofa, with Meloni smiling as they talked. 'She's probably happy I spoke to her,' Trump said.
Meloni's evident shock at Trump's outburst comes after a series of incidents that have weakened what had begun as a close political relationship. Giorgia Meloni talked to the US president on Wednesday at the G7 summit in Evian in France.
Elected in 2022, Meloni was the sole European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in January 2025 and was widely seen by her EU colleagues as a potential bridge-builder with the US president. But Meloni has been outspoken in her opposition to the US war with Iran and in April Trump hit back with a phone interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera in which he said, 'I thought she had courage, but I was wrong'.
When Trump accused Pope Leo XIV of being 'weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy', Meloni said his remarks were unacceptable. Italian President Sergio Mattarella immediately phoned Meloni to offer his support, and figures from across the political spectrum in Italy sprang to her defence.
No-one had the right to speak to an Italian prime minister in such an arrogant tone, said Filippo Sensi, a senator on the left from the opposition Democratic Party. Italy did not deserve such humiliation, said Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte, who added that chasing favours with Washington should never come at the expense of national dignity and interest.
The video from the G7 in reality showed a very different dynamic to what Trump had described, said Lucio Malan, Senate group leader from Meloni's own Brothers of Italy party. What truly irritated the US president may have been Meloni's record of saying no to Washington when it became necessary.
Government ally Matteo Salvini from the League said simply: 'Whoever attacks Giorgia, attacks all of us.'
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the US early next week in protest of Trump's comments. 'I am deeply concerned by the unacceptable words used by the US President towards our country and our Prime Minister,' he said.
The incident is an indication of how far their earlier close ties have frayed in the months since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran. Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has expressed his support for Meloni and called Trump's comments 'unacceptable'.
As the situation continues, it remains to be seen how the two leaders will manage their relationship moving forward. Meloni has been clear in her opposition to Trump's policies, and Trump has shown little willingness to listen to her concerns.
The situation highlights the complex and often fractious relationship between the US and European leaders. As the world continues to grapple with the implications of the US war with Iran, the tension between Meloni and Trump serves as a reminder of the challenges facing global leaders.
The incident is also a reminder of the importance of strong relationships between European leaders. Meloni and Trump's close ties have been a key factor in shaping European policy on the US war with Iran. Their relationship has been built on trust and respect, but it has also been marked by disagreements and tension.
As the situation continues, it will be interesting to see how the two leaders navigate their relationship in the months to come. Will they be able to find common ground and work together to address the challenges facing the world, or will their differences continue to drive them apart?
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a trip to the US early next week in protest of Trump's comments. 'I am deeply concerned by the unacceptable words used by the US President towards our country and our Prime Minister,' he said.
Meloni has been clear in her opposition to Trump's policies, and Trump has shown little willingness to listen to her concerns. The situation highlights the complex and often fractious relationship between the US and European leaders.
As the world continues to grapple with the implications of the US war with Iran, the tension between Meloni and Trump serves as a reminder of the challenges facing global leaders. The incident is also a reminder of the importance of strong relationships between European leaders.
The situation will be closely watched by leaders around the world, as they seek to understand the implications of the US-EU relationship and the challenges facing global leaders. Will Meloni and Trump be able to find common ground and work together to address the challenges facing the world, or will their differences continue to drive them apart?