Meloni Calls Trump Remarks “Completely Fabricated”
President Donald Trump escalated his dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, repeating claims that she repeatedly sought a photo with him during this week’s Group of Seven summit in France and suggesting tensions between the two leaders have widened over the Iran conflict.
In a social media post, Trump reiterated his accusation that Meloni “begged” for multiple pictures during the G7 gathering and criticized her political standing in Italy, linking her domestic approval ratings to disagreements over European support for U.S. military efforts related to Iran.
Trump also claimed that Meloni’s position shifted following what he described as a U.S. military victory over Iran, suggesting she was now seeking to rebuild relations for political benefit. He dismissed that effort and made clear he was not interested in further engagement under those terms.
The comments come after both leaders attended the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where discussions focused on global conflicts, energy stability, and international cooperation. While the summit included coordinated meetings among allied nations, tensions reportedly surfaced over differing approaches to the Iran crisis.
Meloni pushed back strongly against Trump’s account, calling his description of their interaction “completely fabricated.” In a video statement, she said she was surprised and disappointed by the remarks, questioning why the U.S. president would characterize relations with an ally in that way.
She also suggested that Trump’s approach toward European partners has been inconsistent, noting that his criticisms have often been directed at friendly governments rather than adversarial states. Her comments reflected growing unease among some European officials about the tone of U.S. diplomacy.
Italy’s foreign minister also weighed in on the dispute, canceling a planned trip to the United States in response to what he described as offensive remarks directed at the Italian leader. He said the comments were not only an insult to Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.
The exchange marks a rare public clash between the two leaders, who in previous years were viewed as politically aligned on several issues. Their relationship now appears strained as disagreements over foreign policy, including the handling of the Iran conflict, become more pronounced.
Despite the friction, both governments remain engaged in broader G7 discussions alongside other allied nations, though the personal exchange has added a new layer of tension to an already complex diplomatic environment.
For now, neither side has indicated whether the dispute will impact ongoing cooperation, but the sharp public remarks suggest relations between Washington and Rome may be entering a more difficult phase.
