Outrage in Italy after Trump says Meloni 'begged' for photo op
US President Donald Trump speaks with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a work lunch as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026.
Italy reacted angrily on June 19 after reported comments by U.S. President Donald Trump mocking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with the foreign minister cancelling a planned U.S. visit.
Meloni said she was "frankly stunned" by Trump's comments to Italian channel La7.
According to a written transcript of the phone interview provided to AFP by the network, he said Meloni "begged me for a picture" at the G7 summit this week and he agreed only because he "felt sorry for her".
