Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday forcefully rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she had begged for a photo with him during the G7 summit in Evian, calling the remarks “completely made up” as Rome escalated a diplomatic dispute by cancelling a planned visit to Washington.

Speaking in a video statement released on Friday, Meloni said, “Neither I nor Italy ever beg,” adding that Trump’s account was “a lie.” Her denial followed Trump’s interview with Italian broadcaster La7 in which he claimed Meloni had “begged” him for a photo at the summit, saying he had felt sorry for her and agreed despite not being obliged to do so.

The exchange has deepened tensions between Rome and Washington, already strained by policy differences. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his planned trip to the United States in response to Trump’s remarks, which he described as “serious and offensive.”

Meloni’s office released footage from the G7 summit showing the two leaders engaged in conversation, contradicting Trump’s portrayal of her as pleading for a photo. “The images show a normal exchange,” a government spokesperson said.

The dispute comes amid broader friction between the Trump administration and European allies over trade, defense spending, and Ukraine policy. Analysts say the latest row risks further undermining transatlantic relations at a time when NATO unity is under scrutiny. “This is not just about a photo—it’s about respect,” said Nathalie Tocci, director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome. “When the leader of a major ally publicly humiliates a counterpart, the damage is real.”

Trump’s comments were first reported on Friday by multiple international outlets, prompting swift condemnation from Italian officials. Meloni, leader of Italy’s right-wing government, has previously been seen as a close ally of Trump, but their relationship has visibly frayed in recent months.

The cancellation of Tajani’s visit marks the most concrete response so far, signaling Rome’s determination to push back against what it views as an unacceptable personal attack. The foreign minister had been scheduled to meet US officials next week to discuss bilateral cooperation.

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Articles

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the next web · about 5 hours ago

Meloni rasar efter Trumps ord: Vi tigger aldrig Vid G7-mötet påstod Donald Trump att Giorgia Meloni så gärna ville ha en bild med honom. En lögn, enligt den italienska premiärministern. – Varken jag eller Italien tigger någonsin, säger Meloni i en video. Nu ställer landets utrikesminister in ett besök i USA.

expressen · about 5 hours ago

Dalle parole di Trump a Meloni siamo tutti indignati, ma non sorpresi. Perché? Siamo tutti indignati dalle parole che Donald Trump ha rivolto indirettamente a Giorgia Meloni, espressioni come mi ha implorato, mi ha fatto pena: frasette sadiche e insinuanti tirate fuori al volo nel corso di un colloquio telefonico con un giornalista. Siamo indignati, ma non siamo sorpresi. Perché? Perché Donald Trump è un uomo completamente inaffidabile. […] Larticolo Dalle parole di Trump a Meloni siamo tutti indignati, ma non sorpresi. Perché? proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

il fatto quotidiano · about 5 hours ago

Conte a La7: Da Trump parole inaccettabili. Ma se tu Meloni lo assecondi in tutto, è normale prendere schiaffi in faccia Quelli di Trump su Giorgia Meloni sono giudizi inaccettabili. Dobbiamo essere tutti uniti nel respingere attacchi del genere da parte di qualsiasi leader di un altro paese. È tanto più inaccettabile se si tratta del nostro tradizionale alleato, e lo dico da cittadino, da politico e da ex presidente del Consiglio. Collegato in diretta dalla […] Larticolo Conte a La7: Da Trump parole inaccettabili. Ma se tu Meloni lo assecondi in tutto, è normale prendere schiaffi in faccia proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

il fatto quotidiano · about 5 hours ago

„Er wollte sie sicherlich nicht beleidigen In einem Statement von Trump nach dem G-7-Gipfel erklärte er, dass Italiens Ministerpräsidentin Meloni nach einem Foto mit ihm „gebettelt habe. Meloni weist dies zurück und bezichtigt Trump der Lüge. „Das ist so ein typischer Trump-Spruch, sagt US-Journalist Erik Kirschbaum.

welt.de · about 5 hours ago

Meloni rasar mot Trump: Tigger inte Bad Giorgia Meloni om att få ta en bild med Donald Trump under G7-toppmötet? Påståendet har skapat ett nytt politiskt bråk, och försämrar den redan ansträngda relationen mellan USA och Italien.

svenska dagbladet · about 5 hours ago

Trump och Meloni i bråk om bild: Italien tigger inte Giorgia Meloni var den enda europeiska ledaren som bjöds in när Donald Trump installerades som president. Ett och ett halvt år senare har relationen surnat till rejält – nu senast över ett fototillfälle. Dispyten har fått Italiens utrikesminister att ställa in en inplanerad USA-resa.

dagens nyheter · about 5 hours ago

Donald e Giorgia, da special relationship a scontro totale Il botta e risposta tra Trump e Meloni dopo il G7 di Evian è solo lultimo atto del deterioramento di una relazione un tempo solida

il sole 24 ore · about 5 hours ago

Les propos acerbes de Trump sur Meloni tendent à nouveau la relation entre les États-Unis et lItalie Au lendemain du G7 dÉvian, organisé du 15 au 17 juin, et alors que Giorgia Meloni semblait satisfaite de ses retrouvailles avec Donald Trump, allant jusquà déclarer que leur relation était « inchangée », un nouvel échange acerbe entre les deux dirigeants a déclenché une vive polémique en Italie, vendredi 19 juin. Des propos du président américain concernant la Première ministre italienne ont déclenché un incident diplomatique.

rfi.fr · about 5 hours ago

Italy slams Trump over claim Meloni begged for G7 photo

gdeltproject.org · about 5 hours ago

Italy: Meloni says Trump made up story that she begged him for photo Donald Trump claimed that Giorgia Meloni had begged for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit. He added that he wasnt obliged to do it but that he felt sorry for her and agreed.

france24 · about 5 hours ago

Italy Doesnt Beg, Giorgia Meloni Tells Trump President Trump said the Italian leader had begged him to take a photo together at the Group of 7 summit in France. The remarks come as their once-friendly relationship has frayed.

new york times · about 5 hours ago

LItalie annule une visite aux Etats-Unis après des propos « graves et offensants » de Donald Trump sur Giorgia Meloni Dans une interview téléphonique sur la chaîne italienne La7, le président américain a affirmé que la première ministre italienne lavait « supplié » de prendre une photo avec lui au G7 à Evian. Cette dernière sest dite « consternée » par les déclarations « totalement inventées ».

le monde · about 6 hours ago

„Bin ehrlich gesagt fassungslos: Meloni zeigt sich empört über mögliche Lüge von Trump Meloni habe ihn „angefleht, ein Foto mit ihr zu machen, behauptete Trump. Mit seiner Äußerung sorgt er nun für diplomatische Spannungen. Italiens Außenminister sagt seine geplante US-Reise ab.

tagesspiegel · about 6 hours ago

Diplomatie: „Völlig frei erfunden: Meloni kontert Trump-Aussage Der US-Präsident sagte einem italienischen Fernsehsender gegenüber, Italiens Ministerpräsidentin habe ihn beim G7-Gipfel um ein gemeinsames Foto „angefleht. Meloni wies dies zurück: „Weder ich noch Italien treten jemals als Bittsteller auf.

handelsblatt · about 6 hours ago

Italian PM denies Trumps claim she begged for photo Giorgia Meloni forcefully rejected Donald Trumps assertion that she pleaded for a photograph at the recent G7 summit, calling the remarks completely made up as diplomatic tensions prompted Romes foreign minister to cancel a planned visit to Washington.

yenisafak · about 6 hours ago

Trump susține că Meloni l-a „implorat să se fotografieze împreună la summitul G7. „Mi-a fost milă de ea. Reacția premierului italian Preşedintele Statelor Unite, Donald Trump, a declarat vineri că premierul italian, Giorgia Meloni, l-a „implorat să facă o fotografie cu ea la summitul G7 din această săptămână, informează agenţia de presă ANSA, citată de Agerpres. În replică, șefa Guvernului italian a subliniat că afirmaţia lui Trump este „complet falsă.

digi24 · about 6 hours ago

An unexpected ally: Sánchez expresses solidarity with Meloni following Trumps attack The Spanish Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Meloni after Donald Trump, the US President, stated that he had taken a photo with her at the G7 because he had been begged and felt sorry for her. Sánchez found the attack difficult to comment on, describing it as neither political nor personal. French President Macron was also surprised by the White House occupants remarks.

eunews.it · about 6 hours ago

Italys Meloni Hits Out at Trump as U.S.-Europe Truce Breaks Down Italys right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blasted the president after he told Italian media that she had begged for a photo opportunity with him at the G-7 summit earlier this week.

wsj · about 6 hours ago

Italy PM Meloni stunned by Trumps claims she begged him for a photo | Giorgia Meloni