Meloni says Trump 'totally invented' story about her begging for photo

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said Donald Trump “totally invented” a story about her after the US president claimed she begged him to take a photo with her during the G7 summit.

The two leaders had appeared to be repairing relations after a falling out in April over the US-Israeli war in Iran. They held several one-to-one meetings on the sidelines of the gathering in Évian.

In a brief interview with Italy’s La7, a dubbed version of which aired on Friday, Trump said: “She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her. 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.”

The remarks drew anger in Italy and statements of support for Meloni from across the political spectrum. Foreign minister Antonio Tajani said he had cancelled a trip to the US next week.

In a video posted on Instagram with the caption “Italy and I never beg,” Meloni said some things deserved an immediate response. “Donald Trump’s declarations are totally invented,” she said. “Frankly, I am stunned. I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards his allies. It’s not the first time it’s happened, I can only say it’s unfortunate he doesn’t show the same determination towards the west’s enemies.”

Trump and Meloni fell out in April after Italy refused to support the US-Israeli war in Iran and after Trump criticized Pope Leo for condemning the war. Until then, Meloni had maintained good relations with Trump, rooted in shared nationalistic rhetoric, and was the only European leader invited to his inauguration.

Giuseppe Conte, the former prime minister and leader of the opposition Five Star Movement, said Italy “doesn’t deserve to find itself so blatantly humiliated.”

Tajani announced the cancellation of his US trip on X, saying: “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia offend the whole of Italy.”