Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump feud after G7 photo dispute
Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump are locked in a rare open diplomatic feud after the US president claimed she "begged" for a G7 photo—a story Italy's prime minister calls fabricated. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a US visit, yet neither leader is backing down ahead of a NATO summit, showing how personal insults are straining a once-close alliance.
Key Takeaways
- Trump told Italian TV Meloni "begged" for a G7 photo; she called it "completely fabricated."
- Italy's foreign minister cancelled a planned US trip and called Trump's words offensive to the nation.
- The spat follows months of friction over Iran, Pope Leo XIV, and Italy refusing US base access.
- BBC analysis says both leaders face a high-stakes reunion at the NATO summit in Ankara.
What sparked the Trump-Meloni feud over the G7 photo?
Days after the G7 summit at Évian-les-Bains, France, where Trump and Giorgia Meloni were photographed deep in conversation on a sofa, the mood collapsed. Trump told Italy's La7 broadcaster that Meloni had "begged" him for a picture, adding he only agreed because he "felt sorry for her."
Meloni fired back in a video to her Instagram followers, saying she was "frankly stunned." She called Donald Trump's account "completely fabricated" and declared: "Neither I nor Italy ever beg." Trump doubled down on Truth Social, insisting she asked "over and over" and later questioning her popularity in Italy.
Why is the Italy-US fallout proving so hard to fix?
According to BBC analysis, the photo dispute is only the latest flashpoint in a deteriorating relationship. Meloni has refused to support US military action against Iran and blocked American use of Italian air facilities, drawing Trump's ire. She also condemned his criticism of Pope Leo XIV as "unacceptable."
Trump accused Meloni of causing "a great logistical inconvenience" by barring US military operations in Iran from Italian territory. Meloni told him on Instagram that his "constant, unprovoked attacks" were "senseless" and said: "My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours."
Italian President Sergio Mattarella phoned Meloni to express solidarity. Lawmakers across Italy's political spectrum condemned Trump's remarks as an affront to national dignity, complicating any quick reconciliation for a leader facing elections by late 2027.
What happens next for Meloni and Trump at NATO?
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a visit originally planned for June 21–22, though BBC reports tensions have since cooled somewhat. The real test comes at the NATO summit in Ankara early next month, when Trump and Meloni will share a room for the first time since the G7.
New York Times columnist Bret Stephens argued the episode is emblematic of unnecessary, self-defeating diplomacy, writing Americans should "cringe" at such public spats with allies. For more on high-profile political clashes, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.