'I Wasn't On My Knees': Meloni Fires Back At Trump, Says She Won't Let Anyone Disrespect Her
'I Wasn't On My Knees': Meloni Fires Back At Trump, Says She Won't Let Anyone Disrespect Her Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 20:11
'I Wasn't On My Knees': Meloni Fires Back At Trump, Says She Won't Let Anyone Disrespect Her Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 20:11 IST The dispute erupted after Trump claimed Meloni had repeatedly asked him for a photograph during the G7 Summit in France. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump speaks with Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz next to Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a work lunch as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France. (IMAGE: AFP) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected claims that she had bowed to US President Donald Trump, declaring that she was “not on my knees yesterday" and remained committed to speaking frankly with Washington, even as the two leaders remain embroiled in an unusually personal diplomatic spat. Speaking to Italian broadcaster La7 this week, Meloni dismissed criticism that she had bowed to Trump during their recent interactions, saying her position towards the United States had remained consistent. “I’m not anti-American today, and I wasn’t on my knees yesterday. I am someone who believes the West is stronger when it is united, and that Italy is stronger within a united West," she said.
The Italian premier stressed that close alliances did not preclude honest disagreements. “Strong relationships are also built on frankness. I was frank yesterday, and I am frank today. I certainly don’t allow anyone to disrespect me, just as I don’t disrespect anyone else," Meloni said. Responding to questions about a widely circulated photograph from the G7 Summit that appeared to show her pointing a finger at Trump, Meloni brushed aside speculation that she had been admonishing the US president. “I wasn’t pointing at him; I was talking. Everyone knows I gesture a lot," she said. 🇮🇹🇺🇸 Meloni has a message for anyone accusing her of flipping on Trump and the U.S.:"I'm not anti-American today, and I wasn't kneeling to Trump yesterday. I don't let anyone disrespect me, just as I don't disrespect anyone." Writer: Juliepic.twitter.com/NonhV6TLiK — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 1, 2026 Her remarks come less than two weeks after an extraordinary public war of words between the two leaders that shattered what had long been viewed as one of the closest political relationships between Trump and a European leader.
The dispute erupted after Trump claimed Meloni had repeatedly asked him for a photograph during the G7 Summit in France, saying he eventually agreed because he “felt sorry for her". Meloni flatly denied the allegation, calling it fabricated. Trump later escalated the row in a post on Truth Social, insisting that the Italian leader had sought a picture “over and over" while accusing her of attempting to repair ties with Washington after Italy declined to support US military operations against Iran. He also questioned Meloni’s domestic standing, claiming she wanted to mend relations with the White House to improve her political fortunes, and criticised Rome’s refusal to allow the United States to use Italian military facilities during the conflict. Meloni responded sharply, describing Trump’s remarks as “constant, unprovoked and senseless attacks" and insisting that her popularity did not depend on her relationship with the American president. The diplomatic spat triggered rare bipartisan criticism within Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the United States, calling Trump’s remarks “grave and offensive", while Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned that such exchanges served neither country.
The BriefWire