Meloni says Trump fabricated story she 'begged' for photo

Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday said

US President Donald Trump's reported assertion that she begged

him to have a photo with her during this week's G7 summit is

false.

"Donald Trump's declarations are completely fabricated," Meloni

said in an Instagram post.

"Frankly, I am stunned.

"Italy and I never beg," she continued.

"Some things deserve an immediate response.

"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".

Trump said Meloni begged for a photo in an interview with La7

television's Aria che Tira programme.

At the start of the interview, Trump immediately steered the

conversation towards Meloni, asking "how is your prime

minister?.

"What did she say when she met me? She's probably happy I talked

to her," he added.

"I didn't have to talk to her. I don't know what to say.

"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".

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced

that he has cancelled a visit to the United States planned for

June 21-22, saying Trump had offended "all of Italy" with his

"serious and offensive words".

President Sergio Mattarella called Meloni to express his

solidarity, sources said.

Meloni had been big friends with Trump, and she was the only

European leader invited to his inauguration last year, until the

Iran war.

The Italian government's stance included refusing the US

permission to use an air base in Sicily for raids during the

war.

Trump accused Italy of not being helpful and said Meloni had

changed.

The premier also drew Trump's ire by defending Pope Leo XIV

after the president said the pontiff was "weak on crime" and

"terrible for foreign policy" following his criticism of the

war.

After the G7 summit Meloni said that her relations with Trump

were unchanged, there were no "recriminations" and that the two

leaders understood each other's points of view.

Italy's opposition parties on Friday joined the government in

condemning Trump over the comment, while also arguing this shows

being too acquiescent with the US administration is

counterproductive.

"Solidarity with Giorgia Meloni for Trump's unspeakable words,"

Filippo Sensi, a Senator for the centre-left Democratic Party,

said via X.

"No one is allowed to adopt such an arrogant tone toward the

person leading the Italian government.

"I have nothing in common with Meloni, who boasted about being a

bridge (between Trump's American and the EU), and the Right.

"But no one can treat Italy this way".

Former industry minister Carlo Calenda, the leader of the

centrist Azione party, said he was convinced Trump had made up

the story.

"Trump is a serial liar and a ridiculous bully," Calenda said.

"Personally, I don't believe Giorgia Meloni begged for anything

at all.

"In any case, these insults must be rejected as they undermine

the nation's honour".

Ex-premier and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte said

Italy "doesn't deserve to find itself so blatantly humiliated.

"I say this as an Italian citizen first and foremost, not as a

politician," Conte continued in a social-media post.

"So, it's completely unacceptable that one of our allies would

dare speak in this way about our institutional leaders.

"I only hope that a reflection will be opened to learn from what

happened.

"Signing up to everything we're asked to do, chasing photos and

book prefaces, can never prevail over our national interest.

"We must roll up our sleeves for our country, which must defend

its dignity, its credibility, its greatness".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed full "solidarity"

with Meloni at the European Council, saying the attack was

"neither political nor personal.

"In fact, I don't even know how to describe it," Sánchez told a

news conference at the end of the EU summit.

When asked about the furore by ANSA as he left the summit,

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "surprised" by

Trump's attack.

"I'll see her next week and I'll talk to her about it," Macron

added, referring to the June 25 France-Italy bilateral summit in

Antibes

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