Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that former US President Donald Trump “totally invented” a story about her, after Trump claimed she begged him for a photo during the G7 summit in Évian.
Trump's Claim and Reaction
In an interview with Italy’s La7, 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.” These remarks sparked outrage in Italy and drew widespread support for Meloni across the political spectrum.
Meloni's Response
Responding on Instagram with a video captioned “Italy and I never beg,” Meloni said: “Donald Trump’s declarations are totally invented. 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.”
Political Fallout
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his planned trip to the US, stating: “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia offend the whole of Italy.” Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Italy “doesn’t deserve to find itself so blatantly humiliated.”
Broader Context
The relationship between Trump and Meloni had soured in April over Italy’s refusal to support the US-Israeli war in Iran and Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo. Until then, Meloni had cultivated good ties with Trump, rooted in shared nationalist rhetoric, and was the only European leader invited to his inauguration.
Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, criticized Trump, saying: “It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe. With his inappropriate outbursts, he has managed, no easy feat, to make the US unpopular across the entire European continent, damaging not only Europe but above all the US.”
