Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump after he claimed she “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 Summit in Evian. The remarks, made in an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, triggered an immediate political backlash in Rome and escalated into a full‑blown diplomatic dispute.
In a video message posted on X and captioned “Neither I nor Italy ever beg,” Meloni called Trump’s comments “completely made up” and said she was “frankly appalled”. She added that she was “stunned” by the suggestion and questioned why the US President would speak about allies in such a manner. According to the transcript circulated by La7, Trump had said Meloni “wanted a picture with me so badly” and that he agreed only because he “felt sorry for her.”
The reaction in Italy was swift and bipartisan. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the remarks as “grave and offensive”, announcing the cancellation of his planned visit to Washington scheduled for 21–22 June. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also defended Meloni, saying he could not imagine her asking anyone for a photo “even under threat,” and warned that Trump’s behaviour risked damaging ties between allies.
Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a longtime critic of Meloni, used the controversy to attack both leaders, arguing that the episode reflected poorly on Italy’s international standing and on Trump’s diplomatic conduct.
Meloni further suggested that Trump showed more leniency toward adversaries of the West than toward allied nations, calling it “a shame” that he did not display the same firmness with “enemies of the United States.”
The incident has injected unexpected tension into Italy–US relations just days after the G7 summit, with officials in Rome urging Washington to clarify the President’s remarks.