Rome/Washington – Another public row has erupted between Trump and Meloni: During a live phone call on an Italian political talk show, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had practically begged him for a photo together on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France. He hinted that he could have refused to take the photo, but in the end, he felt sorry for her. The response from Rome was immediate—and sharp: The account was pure fiction.
Mocking During a Live Phone Call
It all started with a phone interview Trump gave to the La7 network. The interview was actually about Ukraine and its possible accession to the EU; the president sidestepped the issue, saying he was not involved in that matter and that he „just wanted peace.“ Then, on his own initiative, he steered the conversation toward Meloni and asked pointedly how the prime minister was doing.
When asked about the two of them meeting at the G7, Trump took the opportunity to take a dig at her. Meloni was probably glad that he spoke with her at all—after all, he wasn’t obligated to do so. She had asked him for a photo together and wanted it „so badly“; he could have refused, „but I felt sorry for her,“ the U.S. president said.
In the same breath, Trump attacked the European Union’s energy and immigration policies. He said the Europeans had „gotten everything wrong“ on both issues; if they failed to reverse course, he said, the continent would never be the same again. He called immigration a disaster, as well as energy policy, which he views as a failure due to wind turbines.
Meloni: „We never beg“
The prime minister, who was in Brussels for the European Council, responded via video message. She said Trump’s statements were „completely fabricated“ and that she was „stunned.“ There was one thing the U.S. president should keep in mind: „Italy and I never beg,“ Meloni said.
At the same time, she herself criticized him, saying she regretted that Trump did not show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West and the United States—instead, she said, he was conspicuously lenient toward certain leaders.
Foreign Minister Cancels Trip to the U.S.
The political fallout was not long in coming. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a trip to the United States scheduled for June 21 and 22, which was to include a stop in Miami. He explained that Trump’s remarks against the prime minister were serious and offensive and affected all of Italy.
Outrage across party lines
Politicians across party lines spoke out. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, State Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, accused Trump of damaging the historic relations between the U.S. and Europe with his attacks on top European politicians—„whether intentionally or out of incompetence.“ Maurizio Lupi of the Noi Moderati party called the remarks unjustified and unacceptable.
The opposition, too, largely rallied behind Meloni. Azione leader Carlo Calenda called Trump a „serial liar“ and doubted that the prime minister had begged for anything. Five Star Movement founder Giuseppe Conte stated that Italy did not deserve to be exposed in this way; no ally should speak of the country’s highest representatives in such a manner. AVS co-spokesperson Angelo Bonelli offered a more critical assessment, interpreting the episode as the result of what he saw as Italy’s subservient policy toward Washington.
An alliance with growing cracks
At the summit in Evian, the tone had still been more conciliatory. When the two spoke, EU Council President António Costa remarked that they were „friends again“—to which Meloni replied that they had „always been friends.“ Trump didn’t quite see it that way and accused her of having „let him down“—referring to Italy’s decision not to participate in the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran. Meloni had already publicly described the relationship as still close described.
This was not the president’s first verbal outburst against the leader of Fratelli d’Italia. Back in the spring, he had already called her „unacceptable“ after she criticized his remarks about the pope. Shortly thereafter, he doubled down, accusing Italy of failing to stand by Washington’s side during a critical phase. Meloni has so far always sought to smooth things over, pointing to the traditionally strong ties with the U.S.
