Italian Meloni responds to Trump’s “fabricated” claims while the chief diplomat canceled a trip to the United States

ROME (AP) — The Italian government joined forces Friday to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump over his claim that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” to take a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, a response that suggests the longtime U.S. ally has had enough of Trump’s boasting.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly canceled a scheduled trip to the United States this weekend, calling Trump’s allegations “dangerous and insulting” toward Meloni and the entire Italy.

For her part, Meloni posted a video clip in which she described Trump’s allegations as “completely fabricated” and expressed her surprise at making up such things about an ally of hers. She concluded: “Italy and I do not beg.”

Trump made these statements in an interview broadcast Friday morning on the La7 network. A La7 reporter had asked Trump about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni’s topic and the conversation turned to their meeting during the just-concluded G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France. Meloni and Trump were photographed talking at several moments, including on a small sofa.

According to La7, Trump said Meloni “begged him” to take a photo op. La7 newspaper said that Trump said he did not have to do it, but he felt sorry for her and agreed. The broadcaster has a dubbed version of the online conversation, not the original English audio.

Melonie is surprised and defiant

Meloni said in her video that she was responding to Trump’s claims because “certain things deserve an immediate response.”

She said: “Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly astonished.” He added: “I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way toward his allies. After all, this is not the first time this has happened.”

This was an apparent reference to an interview Trump gave to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera in April, in which he criticized Meloni’s refusal to support the US-Israeli war in Iran. Meloni did not respond publicly at the time.

By Friday, it seemed she had had enough of his boasting and criticism.

“I can only say that it is a shame that he does not show the same determination toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States — toward leaders with whom, on the other hand, he is more aligned,” Meloni said Friday. “But there’s one thing he has to remember: Italy and I don’t beg.”

US President Donald Trump walks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. Photo by Christian Hartmann/Reuters.

The White House did not respond to an immediate request for comment on Meloni’s statements.

Meloni initially sought to build on strong US-Italy ties when Trump began his second term, positioning herself as a “bridge” between Washington and the European Union. She was the only head of state in the European Union to attend his inauguration.

But relations have been strained by the US war in Iran, which Meloni said was illegal, and Trump’s position on Ukraine, which Italy strongly supports. Trump’s tariffs and strong US support for Israel in its war in Gaza were other points of contention.

Italian officials close ranks around Meloni

By Friday afternoon, solidarity with Meloni had poured in from across government and the political spectrum, including a call from President Sergio Mattarella, Italy’s widely respected head of state.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said: “Whoever attacks @GiorgiaMeloni attacks us all.”

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio pointed to the sacrifices of US troops in World War II in highlighting the damage done to US-Italian relations by Trump.

“The thousands of crosses marking the graves of American soldiers who died to liberate us from the fascist Nazi dictatorship do not deserve such a painful blow to our fraternal relations,” Nordeu said on the X program.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said he did not believe Meloni would beg someone to take her photo, “not even under threat.”

“However, I can imagine how much it cost her to put aside what Trump said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, Europe and the West,” Crosetto wrote on X. “Jokes of this kind benefit no one: neither the United States, nor Italy, nor the coalition.”

Tajani was scheduled to travel to the United States on Sunday to participate in the Italian-American Business Forum in Miami, during which he was scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a US State Department announcement of the meeting.

A “wonderful” friendship fades away

Meloni has long been considered one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, where she tries to act as a mediator between the often conflicting interests of the United States and the European Union.

They are off to a strong start, and the two leaders are ideologically aligned on many issues. As head of a far-right party, Meloni supports limiting immigration and promoting traditional values.

Weeks before Trump’s inauguration in 2025, Meloni met Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, a visit she said exceeded expectations. She said at the time that it was “an opportunity to confirm a relationship that promises to be very strong,” adding diplomatically: “I don’t know if I can say it’s special.”

In the following months, Trump repeatedly praised her, calling her “wonderful,” “amazing,” beautiful, and a friend.

But stark differences emerged over Ukraine, after Trump hesitated to support him while Meloni continued to support Kiev after the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Recently, she strongly warned against US threats to seize Greenland by force, saying she did not believe Washington would go that far, and regardless Italy would never support such a move.