Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly accused U.S. President Donald Trump of fabricating remarks about her, in the latest sign of growing tensions between the two leaders.
The dispute erupted after Trump reportedly told Italy’s La7 television channel that Meloni had “begged” him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit in France.
According to the broadcaster’s translation of the interview, Trump said he only agreed to speak with Meloni and pose for pictures out of sympathy.
“She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
La7 did not publish the original audio recording and instead aired a dubbed version of the exchange.
Meloni responded angrily on Friday, describing the comments as entirely false and expressing shock at the U.S. president’s behaviour.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished,” she said.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies. It is not the first time, moreover.”
The Italian leader added that she was disappointed by what she sees as Trump’s tendency to treat America’s adversaries more favourably than its traditional allies.
“I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,” she said.
“There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Once Close Allies
The exchange marks a sharp deterioration in relations between the two right-wing leaders, who were once considered close political allies.
Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and had frequently expressed admiration for the American president.
However, differences between the two have become increasingly visible this year, particularly over the conflict involving Iran.
Earlier tensions emerged after Meloni criticised Trump for attacking Pope Leo XIV following the pontiff’s condemnation of the war.
Trump later accused the Italian prime minister of lacking courage, further straining their relationship.
G7 Meeting Had Suggested Reconciliation
Just days earlier, observers had interpreted the G7 summit in France as evidence that relations between the two leaders were improving.
Video footage from the gathering showed Trump and Meloni engaged in lengthy conversations, leading many to believe that previous disagreements had been set aside.
Friday’s public exchange, however, has once again exposed divisions between Washington and Rome and raised questions about the future of what was once viewed as one of the strongest transatlantic political partnerships.
The dispute comes at a time when both leaders face major international challenges and underscores the increasingly unpredictable nature of relations among Western allies.
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