Italian PM denies Trump's claim she 'begged' for photo

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday forcefully rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that she had 'begged' for a photograph at the recent G7 summit, describing the assertions as 'completely made up' as diplomatic tensions between the longtime allies escalated sharply.

Interview claims

The dispute erupted following remarks Trump made to Italian broadcaster La7, in which he asserted that Meloni had pleaded with him for a picture at the summit in Canada. '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,' Trump told the network, according to a transcript published without accompanying audio.

Forceful denial

Meloni responded with unusual sharpness in a video posted on social media, stating that she was 'frankly stunned' by the characterization and suggesting Trump's behavior toward allies was part of a pattern. 'I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his allies — it's not the first time,' she said, adding that it was 'regrettable that he does not show the same determination toward the enemies of the West.'

She concluded her statement with a pointed declaration aimed directly at the White House: 'But there is one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg.'

Diplomatic fallout

The transcribed remarks triggered immediate diplomatic consequences, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announcing the cancellation of a planned visit to Washington scheduled for June 21 and 22. 'Trump's serious and offensive words toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,' Tajani said in a statement, explaining that he had scrapped the trip in protest.

Strained alliance

The public spat marks a striking rupture between leaders who had previously cultivated close relations, with Meloni having been the only European leader invited to Trump's presidential inauguration last year. Diplomatic observers noted that the episode threatens to complicate cooperation between Rome and Washington on multiple international fronts.