See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:54 BST, 19 June 2026 | Updated: 13:51 BST, 19 June 2026
Giorgia Meloni has hit back at Donald Trump after the US President told an Italian TV channel that she had 'begged' him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit. The Italian leader said in a video address on Friday that she was 'astonished' by his comments, and affirmed they were 'completely made-up.' 'Italy and I never beg,' she continued.'Some things deserve an immediate response.'She also accused him of acting with far greater deference to the enemies of the West than he does towards old, established allies. 'I don't know why the US President behaves this way towards his allies. 'It's not the first time it's happened, I can only say it's unfortunate he doesn't show the same determination towards the West's enemies'.The latest exchange marks a sharp deterioration in ties, coming just days after signs at the G7 summit that the two Right-wing leaders had steadied a previously strained relationship following tensions this year over the war in Iran. Giorgia Meloni has hit back at Donald Trump in a social media video after the US President told an Italian TV channel that she had 'begged' him to take a photo with her at a G7 summitMs Meloni laughs with Mr Trump at the G7 Summit this week Video from the event in France showed Ms Meloni and Mr Trump deep in conversation, but the US leader suggested he had merely indulged her by chatting with her.'She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her,' Mr Trump was quoted as saying by La7 TV channel in a brief interview, after he himself asked the journalist about Italy's prime minister.'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,' Mr Trump said, according to La7's translation.The channel did not release the original audio, just a dubbed version.Ms Meloni responded: 'Donald Trump's statements are completely made-up. I am frankly astonished. I don't know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover.''I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,' she said, adding: 'There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.'Ms Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Mr Trump and the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025.However, she later criticised the US president for lashing out at Pope Leo over his condemnation of the Iran conflict, distancing herself from Mr Trump after the war began.That prompted a blunt rebuke from the US leader, who accused her of lacking courage.Meanwhile, Italy's foreign minister cancelled a visit to the US on Friday over Mr Trump's reported comments about Ms Meloni. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had been due to visit the US on June 21 and 22, said on X: 'The grave and offensive words of President Trump... offend the whole of Italy.'
