'Italy and I never beg': Meloni fires back at Trump over G7 photo claim

"She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her. She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said.

'I and Italy never beg'

Responding in a post on X, Meloni dismissed Trump's account and criticised what she described as his repeated disparaging remarks about allies.

"Donald Trump's statements are completely made up, I'm frankly appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it's not the first time it's happened," she said.

The Italian leader further accused Trump of showing greater leniency towards adversaries than allies.

"I can only say it's a shame that he doesn't show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating. However, one thing he must remember: Italy and I never beg," she added.

Foreign Minister cancels US visit

The controversy quickly drew reactions from across the Italian government.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States scheduled for June 21-22, saying Trump's comments had insulted the entire nation.

"The grave and offensive words of President Trump offend the whole of Italy," Tajani wrote on X.

Italian ministers rally behind Meloni

Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister's office, accused Trump of undermining long-standing transatlantic ties.

"It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude he is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," Fazzolari said, adding that Trump's remarks were damaging America's image across Europe.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also dismissed Trump's claims, saying he could not imagine Meloni ever pleading for a photograph "not even under threat".

"Jokes of this kind do no good to anyone: neither to the USA, nor to Italy, nor to the alliance," Crosetto said.

Growing strains in US-Italy relations

The latest exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders.

Meloni had initially sought to strengthen ties with Trump after the start of his second term, building on traditionally close US-Italy relations.

However, tensions have increased in recent months, particularly after disagreements over Pope Leo and the conflict involving Iran.

Trump had earlier criticised the Pope over his comments on the Iran conflict, prompting Meloni to rebuke the US president.

Trump subsequently accused her of lacking courage, adding another layer of friction to the relationship.

The public war of words now threatens to further strain diplomatic ties between two governments that have historically maintained strong cooperation.