From ally to adversary

Giorgia Meloni was the only European leader invited to Donald Trump's inauguration in 2025, a signal of their close ideological alignment. Eighteen months later, that relationship lies in tatters. At this week's G7 summit in France, the two leaders were described as interacting with "cold formality," and Meloni's office noted that their brief bilateral meeting took place "without jokes or banter." A video of Meloni looking away while other leaders discussed a UFC event hosted by Trump at the White House went viral.

The photo claim and Meloni's response

The rift erupted into public view on 19 June when Trump told Italy's La7 television that Meloni "begged" him for a photograph at the G7. "She wanted so badly a photo with me. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," he said. Within hours, Meloni posted a video on X calling the account "completely false" and saying she was "honestly speechless."

“It's a shame that he doesn't show the same determination towards the enemies of the West, the enemies of the United States, towards leaderships with which he appears much more conciliatory. However, there is one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg.”

Rome reacts

Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani announced he was cancelling a visit to Washington scheduled for 21–22 June.

“The serious and offensive comments by President Trump towards the Prime Minister offend all of Italy.”

Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini added that "whoever insults Giorgia insults all of us," while defence minister Guido Crosetto said he could not imagine Meloni begging anyone even under threat.

Wider G7 frictions

The quarrel fits a pattern. Trump has repeatedly clashed with G7 counterparts: he compared UK prime minister Keir Starmer unfavourably to Winston Churchill when London hesitated to allow US warplanes to use a base in the Indian Ocean for strikes against Iran; he mocked Canada's prime minister as "governor" during trade disputes; and he made personal jibes at France's Emmanuel Macron over a 2025 video showing his wife pushing him in the face. Macron called those remarks "not elegant and not worthy of the office."

A strategy under strain

Political analyst Piero Ignazi of the University of Bologna said the crisis forces a choice on Meloni.

“Meloni cannot constantly change her stance depending on Trump's statements. She must decide whether to follow a less compromising line or, like other countries, for example Canada, adopt a more decisive approach.”

Opposition figures in Italy have seized on the row as proof that Meloni's long-standing strategy of trying to act as a bridge between Washington and Europe has reached its limits.