Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the 2026 G7 Summit earlier this week in France.
During an interview with a journalist from Italy's La7 TV channel Trump said (based on La7's translation):
She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her. 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.
In response to Trump's claim, Meloni posted a video on X. Meloni said she was "astounded" by Trump's comments and called them "completely fabricated." She also said:
There is one thing he must remember: Neither I nor Italy ever beg.
I do not know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his allies — it is certainly not the first time this has happened. 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 — against leaderships with whom he actually proves to be much more accommodating.
Shortly before Meloni's post, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was canceling a visit to the U.S. scheduled for next week, saying:
The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June.
Source:
Kelly, Laura. (June 19, 2026). "Meloni rebukes Trump over G7 photo claims: 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg'". The Hill. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
Afterwards, speaking with NBC News Trump responded saying:
She [Meloni] was a big fan. 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.
Commentary:
I chose to post about this exchange because it shows us all, once again, why Trump has absolutely no business being in the White House.
It shows us all, once again, that Trump is a pathological liar.
It shows us all, once again, that Trump is obsessed with retribution against anyone and anything he disagrees with.
Trump started the war with Iran. He owns it. Yet, he has railed about the fact that European allies have been very reluctant to take part in the ongoing effort to open the Strait of Hormuz.
If you start something without first consulting your allies, then don't expect your allies to support you afterwards.
If you start something without first consulting your allies, how do you know that what you are doing is going to meet with approval from them?
This shows us all, once again, that Trump has very poor judgement.
This shows us all, once again, just how delusional and out of touch with reality Trump is.