Trump's story that I 'begged' to take a photo with him is 'fabricated': Georgia Meloni

 

Trump's story that I 'begged' to take a photo with him is 'fabricated': Georgia Meloni

 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she was surprised by Donald Trump's interview with an Italian news channel in which the US president claimed that he (Meloni) had begged to be photographed with him (Trump).

Prime Minister Meloni's statement has sparked a row between the two world leaders.

It should be recalled that President Trump claimed in a telephone interview with Italian TV channel 'La Sion' that 'he (Meloni) asked me to take a picture and I felt sorry for him.'

Giorgia Meloni claims that Trump's comment is a complete 'fabrication'.

On the other hand, Giorgia Meloni also confirmed that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio has canceled his visit to the US early next week.

Such public statements by Trump and Meloni are an indication of the extent to which the close relationship between the two countries has deteriorated.

Several photos of the two leaders were released at the G7 summit. Later, Georgia Meloni told reporters that there had been no change in their relationship.

The two leaders were seen chatting on a small sofa at the G7 summit, with Meloni smiling as she spoke.

When asked about this in an interview with an Italian channel, Trump said, “Maybe he’s happy that I talked to him.”

It should be remembered that the “La Sion” channel did not broadcast Trump’s original English words, but translated them into Italian.

After Trump’s interview, Meloni reacted to this in a short address to her 7 million followers on her Instagram, expressing surprise and saying, “To be honest, I was surprised.”

Meloni said, “This is not the first time. I don’t know why US President Trump treats his allies like this.”

“I can only say that it is sad that he does not have this attitude towards the enemies of the West and the enemies of America. Those whose leaders he seems to be much more lenient with.’

‘But one thing they should remember is that neither I nor Italy, we never beg.’

 

The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.

Meloni’s strong response to Trump’s statement comes after a series of events that have strained the political relationship between the US and Italy, which until recently were very close.

Meloni, elected in 2022, was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025 and was seen by her EU colleagues as a potential liaison with the US president.

But Meloni has been outspoken in her opposition to a US war on Iran, and in April Trump told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in a telephone interview that “I thought he was brave, but I was wrong.”

When Trump had recently criticized Pope Leo, Malone had called the remarks unacceptable.

In response to Trump's recent interview, Italian President Sergio Mattarella called Malone and assured him of his support, while figures in Italian political circles have also spoken out in his defense.

Senator Filippo Cenci, from the opposition Democratic Party, said that no one had the right to speak so arrogantly to the Italian prime minister.

Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte said that Italy did not deserve such humiliation. He added that the attempt to please Washington should never come at the expense of national dignity and interests.

Senate group leader Lucio Malan, from Malone's own Brothers of Italy party, said that Trump's words were part of a wider series of harsh statements he has been making about various European leaders, and that these statements were damaging Trump's own reputation.

Malan said the video of the G7 summit actually differs from the situation described by Trump.

According to him, what may have really shocked the US president was Malone's record of defying Washington.

Matteo Salvini of the ruling coalition League said in a brief statement that "whoever attacks Georgia attacks us all."