Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives to a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, June 18, 2026. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
In a dramatic turn of events, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly refuted claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who allegedly stated she sought his attention at the recent G7 summit. The fallout marks a significant rift between the two leaders, once seen as political allies.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned,” Meloni stated in a video posted on X Friday. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this toward his own allies. After all, it is not the first time.”
President Donald Trump speaks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looks on at the G7 meeting in Evian, France, on June 16. Evelyn Hockstein – Pool/Getty Images
The controversy stems from comments Trump reportedly made during an interview with an Italian journalist, suggesting Meloni “begged” him for a photo. NPR has not independently verified these remarks, as the original English recording remains unavailable.
Italian television broadcaster La7 aired a dubbed version of the interview, which has sparked a wave of reactions across Italy’s political spectrum. Trump and Meloni had recently concluded a series of meetings and photo opportunities at the G7 summit in Evian, France.
The Italian government has responded strongly, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a trip to the U.S., labeling Trump’s alleged remarks as “serious and offensive.” Italian politicians, including both allies and opponents of Meloni, have expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini commented on X, “Whoever attacks Giorgia Meloni attacks all of us.” Even former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a political adversary, criticized Trump’s statements as “horrifying” and urged Meloni to reconsider her connections with Trump.
Meloni’s alliance with Trump, once perceived as strong, has faced challenges since April. The relationship began to sour when Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV on social media, prompting Meloni to denounce his actions. Trump responded by questioning her courage in a remark to an Italian newspaper.
As tensions continue to rise, the White House has yet to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the situation remains a focal point of political discourse in both Italy and the U.S.
AP contributed to this report.
