By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Italian government has reacted strongly to comments made by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit in France.
Trump reportedly made the remark during an interview aired on La7 television network on Friday.
According to the broadcaster, the U.S. president said Meloni requested a photograph with him during the G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains. He also suggested that he accepted the request despite having no obligation to do so.
The statement sparked criticism from Italian officials shortly after the interview aired.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, described the comments as “serious and offensive” to both Meloni and the Italian nation. He also cancelled a planned trip to the United States that was scheduled for the weekend.
Meloni later addressed the matter in a video message, where she dismissed Trump’s account and expressed surprise over the remarks.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned,” she said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn’t the first time this has happened.”
The Italian prime minister explained that she chose to respond publicly because “certain things deserve an immediate response.”
She also criticised Trump’s conduct toward allied nations.
“I can only say that it’s a shame he doesn’t show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States — toward leaders with whom he, on the other hand, is much more accommodating.”
Meloni added: “But there’s one thing he must remember: Italy and I do not beg.”
The White House had not issued any official reaction to Meloni’s comments as of the time of filing this report.
The disagreement comes amid increasing tensions between Rome and Washington over several international matters, including the conflict involving Iran, the war in Ukraine, trade tariffs imposed by the United States, and Washington’s support for Israel in Gaza.
Despite previously being viewed as one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, Meloni’s relationship with the American president appears to have weakened in recent months.
Several Italian officials publicly defended Meloni after her response.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini wrote: “Whoever attacks @GiorgiaMeloni attacks all of us.”
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio also faulted Trump’s remarks.
“The thousands of crosses marking the graves of American soldiers who died to free us from Nazi-Fascist dictatorship did not deserve such a painful blow to our fraternal ties,” he said.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto dismissed the idea that Meloni would seek a photograph under such circumstances.
“I can, however, imagine how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, of Europe, and of the West,” Crosetto posted on X. “Jokes of this kind do no good to anyone: neither to the USA, nor to Italy, nor to the alliance.”
Before Trump returned to office in 2025, Meloni visited him at his Mar-a-Lago residence, where both leaders reportedly held discussions that she later described as productive. Trump also praised the Italian leader publicly on several occasions afterward.
