Italy cancels US visit after Trump-Meloni war of words

ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she had “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit, describing the remarks as “completely made up”.

The unusually sharp exchange highlights growing tensions between the two leaders, who were once considered close political allies. Their relationship has come under increasing strain in recent months over disagreements on international issues, including the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking in a video posted on social media, Meloni said she was “astonished” by Trump’s comments and criticised the US president for what she described as a pattern of disrespect towards allies.

“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.”

She added that Trump appeared to show greater leniency towards adversaries of the West than towards long-standing partners.

“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, adding: “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

The dispute erupted after Trump, in an interview with Italy’s La7 television channel, claimed that Meloni had sought a photograph with him during the G7 summit in France.

“She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly,” Trump was quoted as saying. “I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”

Video footage from the summit showed the two leaders engaged in conversation while seated together, but Trump suggested he had merely been accommodating her.

A European diplomatic source said Meloni had been among the most outspoken leaders at the summit, openly challenging Trump on several issues and defending Europe’s position on international affairs.

The fallout from the comments quickly spread beyond rhetoric. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the United States next week, prompting the cancellation of a US-Italy business conference scheduled to take place in Miami.

The US State Department did not immediately comment on Tajani’s decision.

Trump later continued his criticism of Meloni during an interview with NBC News, suggesting that she had previously been a supporter but had failed to back US positions regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks drew further condemnation from senior figures in Meloni’s government. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, a close ally of the prime minister and undersecretary to her office, accused Trump of damaging transatlantic relations.

“With his inappropriate outbursts, he has managed the difficult task of making the United States unpopular across Europe,” Fazzolari said, warning that such actions risked undermining historic ties between Washington and its European allies.

Meloni was among the few European leaders to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and had long been viewed as one of his strongest supporters in Europe. However, relations between the two have deteriorated this year amid growing policy differences and a series of public disagreements.