Italian Prime Minister was angry, denied the news that he ‘asked to take a photo with Mr. Trump’

“Mr. Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. To be honest, I am extremely shocked. I don’t understand why the US President behaves like that with his allies. Furthermore, this is not the first time,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 19.

Prime Minister Meloni commented after the Italian TV channel La7 recounted an interview with President Trump, in which he said the Italian leader “begged to take a photo with him”. Mr. Trump and Ms. Meloni on June 15-17 attended the G7 summit in France.

“She really wanted a picture with me. Normally I wouldn’t take one, but I felt sorry for her,” Mr. Trump said. However, this TV channel did not release the original images or audio of Mr. Trump’s interview, only broadcasting the narrated conversation.

The US President also said that the Italian Prime Minister was “probably very happy” because he took the time to talk, while he did not necessarily have to.

Prime Minister Meloni said she felt regretful that Mr. Trump did not show the same toughness towards Western opponents, but was much more gentle and concessionary.

“Neither Italy nor I ever begged anyone,” Ms. Meloni wrote on X.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his visit to the US next week, saying that Mr. Trump’s words “attacked the whole country of Italy”.

The developments deepened the rift in US-Italy relations, which were already tense because of the war in Iran. Ms. Meloni was once a supporter of President Trump and was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in January 2025.

Mr. Trump began attacking Ms. Meloni in April, after the Italian leader defended Pope Leo XIV against harsh criticism from the US President.