Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the United States, describing Trump’s remarks as “serious and offensive” not only to Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.
Meloni herself rejected the allegation, saying the US president’s account was entirely untrue. In a video message released on Friday, she said she felt compelled to respond immediately and accused Trump of inventing the story.
The controversy stems from an interview aired by Italian broadcaster La7, during which Trump was asked about Ukraine but instead referred to Meloni and their interactions at the G7 gathering in Evian-les-Bains, France. The two leaders were filmed speaking several times during the summit, including during a private conversation on a sofa.
According to La7’s account of the interview, Trump said Meloni had requested a photo opportunity with him and that he agreed despite having no obligation to do so. The broadcaster published a dubbed version of the exchange online rather than the original English-language audio.
Responding directly to the comments, Meloni said she was shocked by the remarks and questioned why the US president repeatedly adopted such an approach towards allied nations. She also suggested this was not the first occasion on which Trump had publicly targeted a partner country.
The Italian leader appeared to reference an interview Trump gave to an Italian newspaper in April, in which he criticised her opposition to the US-Israeli military campaign in Iran. Meloni did not publicly address those remarks at the time.
In her latest response, she said it was disappointing that Trump did not reserve the same toughness for adversaries of the West and the United States. She concluded her message by declaring that neither she nor Italy would ever beg for such treatment.
Relations between the two leaders have become increasingly strained despite Meloni’s earlier efforts to maintain close ties with Washington during Trump’s second term. She had sought to position herself as a link between the United States and the European Union and was the only EU leader to attend his inauguration.
Differences have since emerged over several issues, including the conflict involving Iran, which Meloni has described as unlawful, and the war in Ukraine, where Italy remains firmly supportive of Kyiv. Trade tariffs and US backing for Israel’s military actions in Gaza have also contributed to tensions.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto joined the criticism, saying he could not imagine Meloni asking anyone for a photograph under any circumstances. Writing on X, he said such comments served no useful purpose and risked damaging relations between Italy, the United States and their broader alliance.
Non posso immaginare @GiorgiaMeloni chiedere una fotografia a nessuno, nemmeno sotto minaccia.
Posso invece immaginare quanto le sia costato mettere da parte ciò che Trump aveva detto settimane fa,per fare l’interesse dell’Italia, dell’Europa e dell’Occidente.
Ed immagino quanto…— Guido Crosetto (@GuidoCrosetto) June 19, 2026
