Trump hits out at Italy's Meloni after pushback on G7 photo claim

At the G7 summit in France this week, President Donald Trump renewed his claim that Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo with him. The post on Truth Social accused Meloni of not backing U.S. efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon. He said she caused 'a great logistical inconvenience' by blocking the use of Italian air facilities for American military operations targeting Iran. Meloni had told reporters she was astonished by Trump's initial claim that she begged for the photo, underscoring a growing rift between Washington and Rome.

Trump offered another version in a La7 interview a day later, saying Meloni 'begged' him to take the photo; Meloni responded in an Instagram video that she was 'frankly stunned' and questioned why the United States treats its allies this way. She insisted that 'neither I nor Italy ever beg' and noted the disagreement has followed their relationship since Trump's actions against Iran earlier this year. The episode prompted Italian Foreign Minister Tajani to cancel a trip to the United States, illustrating ongoing strain even as Meloni presides over a government seen as a longstanding ally to the United States.