Meloni Denounces Trump Photo Story, Italy Strikes Back

Meloni rejects – Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Donald Trump’s account that she “begged” for a photo with him at the G7 “completely made up,” escalating a dispute that has already led an Italian foreign minister to cancel a planned U.S. visit and a business confe

By the time the G7 leaders had moved from the working lunch into the press-friendly choreography of the summit, Donald Trump was already setting the terms of the moment.

In comments aired Friday by the Italian TV channel La7. Trump described a private exchange with Meloni at the event in Evian-les-Bains. France. saying she “begged” him for a photo. He said he “felt sorry for her,” adding that he “wouldn’t have taken it, but” he indulged her anyway. Meloni’s office has now rejected that version in unusually sharp language.

In response. Meloni said she was “astonished” by Trump’s claims and called them “completely made up.” In a video posted on social media. she also criticized the way Trump speaks about allies. saying he behaves with “far greater deference” toward the “enemies of the West” than he does toward “old. established allies.” Then she drew a line that left little room for misunderstanding: “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”.

Trump’s remarks quickly became more than a personal spat. feeding an already tense rhythm between two right-wing leaders who had been trying. in recent days. to steady ties strained by the broader dispute around the conflict in the Middle East. A European diplomatic source described Meloni as one of the most forceful voices at the G7. saying she openly challenged Trump on multiple points. The source said Meloni defended Europe’s stance and told Trump to stop saying he had been abandoned by Western allies. stressing that they had been supportive.

After Meloni’s rebuttal, the fallout hit official calendars. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pulled out of a visit to the United States scheduled for next week. The Italian embassy said the decision followed Tajani’s cancellation. It also said a U.S.-Italy business conference scheduled for Monday in Miami was called off after Tajani canceled his trip. The U.S. State Department did not respond when asked about Tajani’s cancelled trip.

Trump’s stance did not soften. In an interview with NBC News on Friday. he continued criticizing Meloni. saying she “was a big fan. ” and adding: “But I don’t want her as a fan because she was not there – along with the NATO group – having to do with the strait.” The comments were tied to NATO allies. including Italy. angering Trump by refusing to be drawn into the war on Iran or help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

One of the most striking developments came from inside Meloni’s own government. Giovanbattista Fazzolari. an undersecretary to the prime minister’s office and one of her closest political allies who typically avoids media attention. struck out at Trump in a statement. Fazzolari said it was “unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude” Trump was “wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe. ” and added that with “inappropriate outbursts. ” Trump had managed to make the United States “unpopular across the entire European continent.” He argued that the damage went beyond Europe and “above all” hurt the United States.

The relationship between Meloni and Trump has never been static. Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Trump and was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025. But this year, she had criticized him for lashing out at Pope Leo after the pontiff condemned the Iran conflict. Trump, in turn, delivered a blunt rebuke, accusing her of lacking courage.

For now, the immediate dispute is still centered on a single claim—whether Meloni “begged” for a photo at the G7 summit—but the consequences are showing up in official exits, canceled plans, and a public dispute that both governments are now treating as serious enough to put on the record.

G7 Giorgia Meloni Donald Trump Antonio Tajani NATO Strait of Hormuz Iran conflict U.S.-Italy relations Evian-les-Bains