Italy's government has forcefully denied claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested a photograph with him during last week's G7 summit in France.
Trump made the comments during a television interview broadcast on Friday.
According to Trump's account, Meloni asked for a photo opportunity at the Évian-les-Bains meeting. He said he granted her request despite having no obligation to do so.
Rome responded swiftly and angrily to the remarks. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called them deeply offensive to both Meloni and Italy.
Tajani cancelled a planned weekend trip to Washington over the dispute. His decision underscored the seriousness with which Italian officials took the matter.
Meloni released a video statement rejecting Trump's version of events entirely. "Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated," she said.
"I am frankly stunned."
She questioned why the American president would treat an allied nation this way. It wasn't the first time such an incident had occurred, she noted.
The Prime Minister criticized Trump's diplomatic approach more broadly. "It is a shame he does not show the same determination toward the enemies of the West," Meloni stated.
She contrasted his toughness with allies against his accommodation of adversaries. According to her, Trump was far more deferential to leaders hostile to Western interests.
Meloni then delivered her sharpest rebuke. "There is one thing he must remember: Italy and I do not beg," she said firmly.
White House officials have not publicly commented on Meloni's response. The exchange signals deepening tensions between Washington and Rome.
Relations between the two governments have deteriorated despite earlier warmth. Once viewed as among Trump's closest European partners, Italy now faces disagreements on multiple fronts.
Disputes over Iran policy, Ukraine, American tariffs, and Gaza support have strained the alliance. These conflicts have created visible friction in recent weeks.
Senior Italian officials from across the political spectrum defended their Prime Minister. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini posted: "Whoever attacks @GiorgiaMeloni attacks all of us."
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio invoked historical sacrifice in his criticism. "The thousands of crosses marking American soldiers' graves did not deserve such a painful blow to our fraternal ties," he said.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto dismissed Trump's characterization as implausible. He also acknowledged the personal cost Meloni bore by setting aside Trump's earlier comments to serve broader strategic interests.
Crosetto noted such remarks help no one—not America, not Italy, not their shared alliance. His words reflected frustration with what officials view as needless provocation.
The two leaders had previously appeared close. Meloni visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago before his inauguration and described those talks as productive.
Trump had publicly praised Meloni multiple times in the past. That earlier cordiality makes the current dispute all the more striking to observers.
