Neither I Nor Italy Ever Beg': Meloni Blasts Trump Over 'Fabricated' G7 Photo Claim.

Italian PM accuses US President of insulting allies; Deputy PM Tajani cancels US trip, Defence Minister slams remarks as ties hit new low after France summit.

Rome/Washington, June 20, 2026:A major diplomatic rift erupted Friday after US President Donald Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a photograph at this week’s G7 Summit in France, claiming he only agreed “because I felt sorry for her.”

Meloni fiercely rejected the account as “completely made up” and accused Trump of treating allies worse than adversaries, triggering immediate political fallout in Italy.

What Trump Said.

In a phone interview with La7 aired June 19, Trump said of his G7 interaction with Meloni:

“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.”

La7 broadcast only a dubbed version and did not release original audio.

Meloni’s Video Rebuttal: 'I Am Astonished'

Hours later, Meloni posted a heated video response on X, saying:

“Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly astonished… I don't know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover.”

“I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence.”

“There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

Italian Government Backlash.

The remarks sparked swift retaliation in Rome:

Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned trip to the US next week, writing on X: “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy.”

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called the comments "damaging to relations between the two countries.”

Meloni questioned whether Trump’s words were meant to “intimidate” allies: “What does ‘have not survived’ mean? Does it mean the RSS is a terror organisation?”_  echoing language from her separate clash with BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi over the RSS. Summit Context: From Thaw to Fallout

The row marks a “sharp deterioration in ties”_ just days after the *G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, June 15–17*, where video showed Meloni and Trump “deep in conversation, sitting side-by-side on a small sofa.”

A European diplomatic source said Meloni was _“one of the most forceful voices at the G7, openly challenging Trump on several points” and “firmly defended Europe’s stance..

Relations had already been strained by:

1War on Iran: Italy denied US use of a Sicilian air base

Pope Leo XIV: Meloni defended the pontiff after Trump called him “soft on crime.”

 Broader Implications.

Analysts warn the feud risks undermining decades of transatlantic partnership and could impact trade, defense, and energy cooperation. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“When Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term in 2025, Meloni was the only European leader invited… promising the start of a golden age in relations. A year and a half later, their personal relations appear to be in tatters.”

Disclaimer: La7 did not release original audio