**Title: ‘Italy Never Begs’: Meloni Responds to Trump’s Claims at G7 Summit**
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rebuffed claims made by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested that she had "begged" him for a photo during the recent G7 summit held in Evian, France. This assertion, made during a phone interview with broadcaster La7, has sparked controversy and a strong reaction from Meloni.
In the interview, Trump implied that Meloni was eager to take a picture with him and that he agreed to it only "out of pity." His comments were perceived as undermining Meloni's stature as a leader and prompted her to label his account as “completely fabricated.”
In a video statement shared on social media platform X, Meloni expressed her astonishment at Trump's remarks, stating, “I don’t understand why the president of the United States behaves this way with his allies.” She further emphasized Italy's dignity by asserting, “I and Italy never beg.”
The fallout from Trump's comments extended beyond Meloni, as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned trip to the United States scheduled for June 21-22. Tajani described Trump's words as "serious and offensive," indicating that they were disrespectful to all of Italy.
Meloni had previously been viewed as one of Trump’s strongest allies among European leaders, often seen as a conduit between the US and Europe. Notably, she was the only European head of government to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025. However, relations between the two have reportedly soured in recent months, particularly over differing views on issues such as Iran and Meloni's defense of Pope Leo XIV following Trump's criticisms of the pontiff regarding the war on the Islamic Republic.
The timing of this public dispute is particularly notable, as it follows a period of apparent reconciliation between the two leaders at the G7 summit. During a light-hearted exchange, European Council President Antonio Costa remarked that Trump and Meloni were “friends again,” to which Meloni responded affirmatively, while Trump humorously claimed, “I was abandoned.” Meloni quickly countered, “No, you were not.”
In addition to the personal clash, Trump used the opportunity to critique broader European policies, particularly regarding energy and immigration. He characterized the current situation in Europe as a "disaster," arguing that the continent's approach to renewable energy has failed and that unless these challenges are addressed, Europe may face significant changes in the future.
The exchange highlights the complexities of international relations, particularly as they pertain to personal dynamics between leaders. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this incident will affect future interactions between Italy and the United States, as well as Meloni's standing within the European political landscape.