Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly pushed back against a claim made by President Donald Trump, triggering an unusually public dispute between two leaders once considered close political allies.
The row erupted after Trump gave a phone interview to Italian television channel La7 following the G7 summit in France.
During the interview, Trump claimed Meloni had been eager to be photographed with him.
“She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her,” Trump reportedly said.
The comment stunned observers in Italy, particularly because footage from the summit appeared to show the two leaders engaged in friendly conversations throughout the event.
Meloni responded directly on social media, saying she was “frankly stunned” by Trump’s remarks and insisting that his version of events was entirely fabricated.
“I can only say it is regrettable,” she said, before adding a line that quickly spread across Italian media and social networks: “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
The exchange marks the latest sign of growing tensions between the two leaders.
Meloni was once viewed as one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe. She attended his inauguration in early 2025 and was often described as a potential bridge between Washington and European leaders.
However, relations have reportedly cooled in recent months, particularly after disagreements surrounding U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran.
Despite appearing cordial during the G7 summit, Trump’s comments have now sparked a political backlash in Italy.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reportedly canceled an upcoming trip to the United States, while politicians from across Italy’s political spectrum rallied behind Meloni.
Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte accused Trump of humiliating an ally, while members of Meloni’s own coalition argued that the remarks reflected poorly on the U.S. president rather than Italy.
Videos from the summit show Trump and Meloni speaking privately on several occasions, including one moment where they appeared deep in conversation on a sofa during the gathering.
For many Italians, those images stand in stark contrast to Trump’s description of the encounter.
The White House has not publicly responded to Meloni’s criticism.
What began as a routine diplomatic summit has now turned into one of the most unexpected political feuds of the week, raising fresh questions about the state of the relationship between Washington and one of Europe’s most influential conservative leaders.
