It began with a photograph, but has escalated into a full-blown diplomatic row between two right-wing leaders who were once politically close. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is publicly sparring with US President Donald Trump after he claimed she "begged" him for a photo at this week's G7 summit in Evian, France — and she is hitting back hard.
The dispute is unfolding in public, on social media and in television interviews. Trump told Italy's La7 TV channel that Meloni "begged me to take a photo with me; I felt sorry for her." He later posted on his social media platform that she had asked "over and over" for the photo, adding that he is not interested in repairing relations. Meloni responded in an Instagram video saying she was "frankly stunned" and that "neither I nor Italy ever beg." The exchange has now continued for days, with Trump also questioning her popularity in Italy and accusing her of not supporting US military action against Iran.
“A look at the escalating dispute between Italy's Meloni and US President Trump.”
To understand why this matters, it helps to look at the background. Meloni and Trump are both populist, nationalist figures who have previously found common ground on issues like immigration and opposition to the EU establishment. But tensions have been building since earlier this year, when Trump initiated a bombing campaign against Iran — a move that Italy did not fully back. Meloni barred the US from using Italian air facilities for American military operations in Iran, which Trump called "a great logistical inconvenience." Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani subsequently cancelled a trip to the US, and other Italian ministers reportedly will not attend US Independence Day celebrations in Rome.
The public nature of the spat is unusual. Leaders typically resolve such disagreements behind closed doors. But Trump has repeatedly criticised allies publicly, and Meloni — who enjoys strong domestic support — has decided to push back. In her latest statement, she said: "As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours."
For UK readers, this feud is a reminder of how volatile transatlantic relations can become under a second Trump presidency. The UK has its own delicate relationship with the US, and the sight of a major European ally being attacked so personally — over a photograph, no less — highlights the unpredictability that European leaders may face. It also shows the limits of personal diplomacy: even ideological allies can fall out when national interests clash.
Q: Why did Trump claim Meloni begged for a photo? Trump said in a phone interview with Italy's La7 TV that Meloni "begged me to take a photo with me; I felt sorry for her." He later doubled down on social media, claiming she asked "over and over." Meloni has called the claim "completely made-up."
Q: How has Meloni responded to Trump's attacks? Meloni released statements on Instagram calling Trump's "constant, unprovoked attacks" senseless. She said Italy never begs and suggested Trump focus on his own popularity. She also defended Italy's decision to bar US use of Italian bases for operations against Iran.
Q: What is the wider context of this dispute? The row stems from US military action against Iran earlier this year, which Italy did not fully support. Meloni blocked US use of Italian bases, leading to Trump's criticism. The two leaders, once political allies, have been at loggerheads since that disagreement.
What happens next is uncertain. According to Italian daily La Repubblica, Meloni told reporters while leaving the EU summit in Brussels that she is convinced the dispute with Trump is not over. With no sign of an apology from either side, and with other Italian ministers reportedly snubbing US Independence Day events, the rift looks set to widen. For now, the row over a photograph has become a symbol of a deeper fracture in the transatlantic alliance.