A war of words erupted between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni after the US President claimed the Italian Prime Minister had “begged”
June 19, 2026: A fresh diplomatic dispute has emerged between the United States and Italy after President Donald Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 Summit in France. Speaking to an Italian broadcaster, Trump suggested that he agreed to the picture only out of sympathy. His comments quickly sparked controversy and drew strong reactions from Italian leaders.
Meloni responded publicly, rejecting Trump’s version of events and describing the claim as completely fabricated. In a video statement, she said that neither she nor Italy had ever begged anyone and expressed disappointment over what she described as Trump’s attitude toward allies. The Italian Prime Minister also questioned why the US President appeared more critical of friendly nations than of countries considered adversaries of the West.
The controversy soon widened beyond the two leaders. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to Washington, calling Trump’s remarks offensive to the entire country. Senior government figures also criticized the US President, warning that such comments risk damaging long-standing transatlantic relations. The episode marks a significant deterioration in ties between Trump and Meloni, who were previously regarded as close political allies on the global conservative stage.