'Italy Never Begs': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Her Govt Accuses US Of 'Destroying' Historic Ties
'Italy Never Begs': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Her Govt Accuses US Of 'Destroying' Historic Ties Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 19:14
'Italy Never Begs': Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Her Govt Accuses US Of 'Destroying' Historic Ties Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 19:14 IST Donald Trump angered Meloni's government by claiming that she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 Summit, which the Italian PM rejected as "completely made up." Rapid Read US President Donald Trump with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Summit. (Reuters) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday hit back sharply at US President Donald Trump, saying her country never begs in response to his claim that she “begged" him for a photograph at the recent G7 Summit in France. Meloni accused Trump of fabricating a story about her and said she was “appalled" by his “completely made-up" comments. She also criticised Trump for mistreating his allies, while treating the enemies of the West and the US with far more indulgence. “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled.
I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened," she said in a video on X. Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. pic.twitter.com/sTpKlqWB67— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 19, 2026 “I can only say it’s a shame that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating," she added. “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg." What Did Trump Say? Trump sparked a controversy after claiming that Meloni had “begged" him for a photograph at the recent G7 Summit in France. “She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her," he told Italy’s La7 TV channel. “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," he added. Trump’s remarks came after the two right-wing leaders met at the G7 Summit to steady a previously strained relationship following tensions this year over the Iran war. ALSO READ: From Vocal Supporter To Distant Partner: How The Trump-Meloni Relationship Evolved Over The Years Trump ‘Destroying’ Historic Ties Trump’s remarks angered Meloni’s government, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelling a planned visit to the US next week. “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy," he said. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, said, “It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude (Trump) is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe." “With his inappropriate outbursts, he has managed no easy feat, to make the United States unpopular across the entire European continent, damaging not only Europe but above all the United States," he added.
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