Italian Prime Minister Rejects Trump's Anecdote
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly dismissed a claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged she 'begged' him for a photo during the recent G7 summit. Meloni labeled his comments as entirely 'made-up,' expressing her astonishment at the former president's statement.
Trump's Interview and Meloni's Reaction
The controversy emerged after Trump gave a phone interview to Italy's La7 TV channel, stating, "She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her." This occurred following the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where Trump and Meloni were observed in conversation. La7 aired the interview with an Italian voice-over of Trump's original words.
Meloni responded to Trump's remarks on Instagram, conveying her utter disbelief. "I don't know why the US president behaves this way towards allies," she stated, noting it was not an isolated incident. She further commented, "I can only say it is regrettable he does not show the same determination towards the enemies of the West and towards the enemies of the US - [enemies] whose leaders he instead appears to be far more accommodating with." She concluded with a firm declaration: "But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."
Strained Relations and Political Backlash
This public exchange highlights a perceived cooling of the relationship between Meloni and Trump, which had previously been considered close. Meloni, elected in 2022, was notably the sole European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in January 2025 and was viewed as a potential mediator between the EU and the US president. However, her vocal opposition to the US conflict with Iran and previous disagreements, such as Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV, have seemingly created friction.
Following Trump's latest interview, Italian President Sergio Mattarella reportedly contacted Meloni to offer his support. Across Italy's political spectrum, figures rallied to Meloni's defense. Senator Filippo Sensi of the Democratic Party stated that no one had the right to address an Italian prime minister with such arrogance. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, condemned the perceived humiliation, emphasizing that national dignity should not be sacrificed for favors from Washington.
Lucio Malan, Senate group leader for Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, suggested Trump's comments were part of a pattern of offensive remarks directed at European leaders, ultimately damaging Trump's own image. Malan also proposed that video evidence from the G7 depicted a different dynamic than Trump's description, and that Meloni's willingness to occasionally disagree with Washington might be the true source of Trump's irritation. Government ally Matteo Salvini of the League party concisely stated, "Whoever attacks Giorgia, attacks all of us."
Source: BBC News