Meloni denies having “begged” for a photo with Trump and pins him

“Some things require an immediate response. Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly perplexed. I don’t know why the US president behaves like this with allies,” said Meloni, in a video published on his Instagram profile.

“It’s not the first time this has happened. I can only say that it’s regrettable that he doesn’t have the same determination with the enemies of the West, the enemies of the USA, with leaders with whom he is much more conciliatory. One thing has to be remembered: Italy and I have never begged”, said the conservative prime minister.

In an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, Trump had asked: “How is your prime minister? What did she say when she met me? She’s probably happy that I spoke to her.”

He then made comments that displeased Meloni. “I didn’t need to talk to her. I didn’t know what to say. She begged me to take a photo with her. She really wanted a photo with me,” he alleged.

Previously close allies, Trump and Meloni have been exchanging barbs since April, when the American president criticized the Italian prime minister for having challenged his comments about Pope Leo XIV and not helping in the war against Iran.

“I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong”, said the Republican at the time.

In March, Italy’s government denied permission for US military aircraft to land at Sigonella air base in Sicily before heading to the Middle East for war against Iran.