Italy's Meloni says Trump 'totally invented' story that she begged him for photo

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused Donald Trump of fabricating a story about her on Friday, after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit, Reuters reported.

Trump told La7 TV channel that Meloni "begged" him for a picture, saying "she wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her." He made the comments after asking the journalist about Italy's prime minister during a brief interview.

How did Meloni respond to Trump's comments?

Meloni said she was "astonished" by Trump's remarks, calling them "completely made up" in a video posted on social media. She added that it was disappointing he did not show the same determination toward "the enemies of the West," saying "neither I nor Italy ever beg."

She also said she did not know why the US president "behaves like this towards his allies," adding "it is not the first time." Video from the G7 event in France had shown Meloni and Trump deep in conversation, sitting side by side on a small sofa.

Why did Italy's foreign minister cancel his US visit?

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pulled out of a visit to the United States planned for next week, underscoring how much Trump's comments angered Meloni's government. A US-Italy business conference scheduled for Monday in Miami was also called off after Tajani cancelled his trip, the Italian embassy said. The US State Department did not respond when asked about the cancellation.

What else did Trump say about Meloni and NATO?

In a separate interview with NBC News on Friday, Trump continued his criticism of Meloni. "She was a big fan," he was quoted as saying. "But I don't want her as a fan because she was not there, along with the NATO group, having to do with the strait."

NATO allies including Italy had angered Trump by refusing to be drawn into the war on Iran or help secure the Strait of Hormuz. A European diplomatic source said Meloni was one of the most forceful voices at the G7, openly challenging Trump and defending Europe's stance, including telling him he should stop saying he had been abandoned by Western allies.

How has Meloni's government reacted to the rift?

Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister's office and one of Meloni's closest political allies, said it was "unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude" Trump was "wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe." He added that Trump's "inappropriate outbursts" had made the US unpopular across Europe, damaging "not only Europe but above all the United States."

Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Trump and the only European leader to attend his 2025 inauguration. She criticised him this year for lashing out at Pope Leo over his condemnation of the Iran conflict, which prompted a blunt rebuke from Trump, who accused her of lacking courage.