A sharp diplomatic rift has opened between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France.
The public feud escalated significantly over the weekend after President Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to double down on his claims regarding the Italian leader. He insisted that Meloni repeatedly requested a photograph with him during the summit, a narrative that the Italian government strongly rejects.
The public dispute began earlier in the week when President Trump told the Italian television channel La7 that Meloni had “begged” him for a picture. Trump remarked that he only agreed to the photograph because he “felt sorry for her.” On Friday, Prime Minister Meloni fiercely pushed back against the statement, calling the story completely fabricated and “totally invented.” In a video response, she expressed astonishment at the American leader’s behavior toward a Western ally and firmly stated, “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Beyond the personal exchange, the argument highlights deep geopolitical disagreements regarding international security. In his Truth Social posts, Trump linked the photo controversy to Rome’s recent refusal to back American military operations aimed at blocking Iran’s nuclear program. Specifically, Trump criticized Italy for denying the US military permission to utilize Italian runways and landing strips during the strategic operations. He alleged that Meloni is now trying to repair bilateral relations simply to boost her falling domestic approval ratings.
The fallout from the verbal altercation has already disrupted formal diplomatic channels between the two traditional allies. Outraged by Trump’s comments, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled an official two-day visit to the United States. Tajani labeled the remarks offensive to the entire nation of Italy. The sudden friction marks a sharp shift for Trump and Meloni, who were previously viewed as close political partners on the global stage.
