Trump doubles down on Giorgia Meloni feud after she denies begging for photo: ‘She was a big fan’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, June 19, renewed his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, extending a public dispute that began after his claim that she had sought a photograph with him during the recent G7 summit. 

The latest remarks came just hours after Meloni publicly rejected Trump's earlier claim that she had "begged" him for a photograph at the summit in France, calling the account false and expressing disappointment with the US president's comments. 

Trump fires fresh shot at Meloni

Speaking to NBC News, Trump said that Meloni had once been supportive of him but suggested that differences stemmed from disagreements over international security issues, including efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict involving Iran.

“She was a big fan,” Trump said. “But I don’t want her as a fan because she was not there, along with the NATO group, having to do with the strait,” he said. 

The disagreement began after Trump told Italy's La7 television that Meloni had been eager to take a photograph with him during the G7 summit. “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,” Trump was quoted as saying.

The remarks marked the latest escalation in a relationship that had previously been viewed as one of Trump's strongest among European leaders. Earlier this year, tensions emerged after 

Meloni criticized Trump's comments about Pope Leo XIV, describing them as unacceptable. Trump later responded in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, saying, “I thought she had courage, but I was wrong." 

The two leaders have also differed over aspects of the Trump administration's handling of the conflict involving Iran and broader questions surrounding Western alliances.

Meloni rejects Trump's account as Italy condemns remarks

Meloni responded to Trump's comments in a video posted on social media, forcefully denying his version of events and rejecting the suggestion that she sought a photo opportunity. “There is one thing he must remember: Neither I nor Italy ever beg,” Meloni said.

The Italian prime minister described Trump's account as “completely fabricated” and questioned why the US president had chosen to make such remarks about an ally. “I do not know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his allies,” she said.

Meloni also suggested that Trump appeared more confrontational toward allies than toward geopolitical rivals. “I can only say it is regrettable that he does not show the same determination against the enemies of the West and the United States,” she added, arguing that he appeared “much more accommodating” toward adversarial leaders.

The dispute quickly widened beyond the two leaders. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was canceling a planned visit to the United States, where he had been scheduled to meet senior American officials.

“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote while announcing the cancellation of the trip.