A diplomatic storm has erupted between Italy and the United States after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly accused US President Donald Trump of inventing a fabricated story about her during the recent G7 summit in France.
The controversy began when Trump, speaking in a phone interview with Italian media La7, claimed that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo during the summit in Evian-les-Bains and that he agreed only “out of pity.”
The remarks triggered immediate outrage in Rome.
Meloni hit back: “Italy Never Begs nor I”
Responding in a strongly worded video statement on X, Meloni dismissed Trump’s account as “completely fabricated” and said she was shocked by the US president’s behavior.
“I am frankly astonished. I don’t understand why the president of the United States behaves this way with his allies,” Meloni said. “Italy and I never beg.”
Her response quickly ignited political debate across Italy, with leaders from both government and opposition condemning Trump’s remarks.
Italy Cancels Key US Visit
The diplomatic fallout escalated when Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his scheduled trip to Washington on June 21-22.
“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media.
The move marks a sharp deterioration in US-Italy relations, which had previously been considered among the strongest in Europe.
From Allies to Adversaries?
Meloni was once viewed as one of Trump’s closest European allies. She was the only EU leader to attend his inauguration in 2025 and often positioned herself as a bridge between Washington and Brussels.
However, relations have soured in recent months due to disagreements over the Iran conflict and Meloni’s defense of Pope Leo XIV after Trump criticized the pontiff’s stance on the war.
Despite appearing cordial during the G7 summit, tensions now appear to have reached a boiling point.
According to reports, European Council President Antonio Costa joked during the summit that Trump and Meloni were “friends again.” Trump responded, “I was abandoned,” signaling lingering resentment.
Trump Expands Criticism to Europe
During the same La7 interview, Trump widened his criticism beyond Meloni, targeting Europe’s immigration and green energy policies.
“The Europeans have gotten everything wrong on energy and immigration,” Trump said, calling Europe’s immigration strategy “a disaster” and renewable energy policies a failure.
His comments have fueled wider debate over the future of transatlantic relations as Europe grapples with ongoing geopolitical crises.
Political Reactions Flood In
Italian President Sergio Mattarella contacted Meloni to express solidarity, while Defense Minister Guido Crosetto condemned Trump’s comments as “a fall in style.”
Even opposition leaders, despite deep political disagreements with Meloni, rallied to defend Italy’s national dignity.
Political analyst Carlo Calenda called Trump a “serial liar and comical bully,” while Matteo Salvini declared, “Whoever attacks Giorgia attacks all of us.”
What Next?
The public spat between Trump and Meloni could have significant implications for NATO unity, EU-US cooperation, and Italy’s role in Western diplomacy.
With Italy canceling high-level diplomatic engagements and political tensions rising, the clash marks one of the most serious transatlantic disputes of Trump’s second term.
Observers now watch closely to see whether the White House or Rome will make the next move.
