Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to Washington on Friday, calling President Donald Trump’s comments about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “serious and offensive” after Trump claimed the Italian leader had “begged” him for a photograph at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France this week.
In an interview with Italian TV channel La7, Trump said Meloni had “begged” him to take a picture with her at the summit and that he agreed only because he “felt sorry for her,” according to the dubbed version of the conversation the broadcaster released. Meloni responded Friday morning with a sharply worded video calling the claims “completely fabricated” and expressing astonishment at Trump’s behavior toward an ally.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished,” Meloni said in the video. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn’t the first time this has happened.” She concluded: “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Tajani was scheduled to travel to the U.S. early next week and attend the Italy-U.S. Business, Investment, Science and Innovation Forum in Miami, where he was to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss U.S.-Italy bilateral cooperation on economic security and critical minerals. His cancellation marks a sharp diplomatic rebuke over the remarks.
A Relationship Strained by Deeper Disputes
The photo-op controversy comes just days after signs of repair at the G7 summit itself. Video from the summit showed Meloni and Trump in close conversation, sitting side by side on a small sofa, and both leaders said they had “always been friends.” But the latest comments suggest those reconciliation efforts were short-lived.
The tensions reflect a broader deterioration in ties that began earlier this year when Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for his opposition to the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. In April 2026, Meloni publicly called Trump’s remarks about the Pope “unacceptable,” marking a rare rebuke from the Italian leader. Trump then fired back, accusing Meloni of lacking “courage” and failing to support the U.S. military campaign against Iran. That confrontation exposed fundamental disagreements over Ukraine, where Meloni has steadily backed Kyiv despite Trump’s wavering commitment, and over the Iran conflict, which Meloni has said was illegal.
Meloni had initially positioned herself as a bridge between Washington and Europe when Trump began his second term. She was the only European Union head of state to attend his January 2025 inauguration and had sought to build on longstanding strong U.S.-Italian ties. But months of clashes over war policy and Trump’s unpredictable statements have taken their toll.
The Italian government closed ranks around Meloni on Friday. President Sergio Mattarella called to express support, and senior ministers issued statements defending her. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said he did not believe Meloni would “ever beg someone for a photo, not even under threat.” Justice Minister Carlo Nordio referenced the sacrifice of American troops in World War II in underlining the harm to U.S.-Italy relations, saying the graves of American soldiers who died to free Italy “did not deserve such a painful blow to our fraternal ties.”
Sources
- CNN — Trump’s comments to La7 TV, Meloni’s video response, Tajani’s cancellation of planned trip, and context on earlier tensions over Iran war and Pope
- Reuters — Meloni’s statement calling Trump’s claims “totally invented,” Tajani’s cancellation, and background on the relationship deterioration
- AP News — Meloni’s response, Tajani’s trip cancellation, government officials’ statements of support, and April 2026 Pope Leo XIV dispute
- Euronews — Trump and Meloni’s reconciliation at G7 summit two days prior, and earlier April 2026 tensions
