Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has dismissed as unfounded a claim by U.S. President Donald Trump that she had asked him for a photo opportunity during the G7 summit.
Meloni stated that Italy never seeks favors from anyone and that she personally feels no need to request such gestures from others.
According to a BBC report, during the G7 summit held in Evian, France, an Italian television channel quoted Trump as saying, in reference to his interaction with Meloni, that “she was probably happy that I spoke with her.”
In response, the Italian Prime Minister issued a video statement on Instagram, expressing surprise at the U.S. President’s remarks.
“I do not understand why the President of the United States uses such language when referring to leaders of allied countries,” Meloni said, adding that Trump appears comparatively less critical when dealing with leaders of rival or opposing states.
The White House has been approached for comment but has not issued an immediate response.
Since taking office in 2022, Giorgia Meloni has been widely viewed as one of Trump’s closest European allies. She was also the only European leader present at his inauguration in January 2025.
However, differences in their positions on several international issues, including Iran, have become more apparent in recent months. In an interview in April, Trump also questioned Meloni’s political resilience.
Following Trump’s recent remarks, political support for Meloni has grown within Italy. President Sergio Mattarella reportedly called her to express solidarity, while both government and opposition leaders criticized Trump’s comments.
Source: BBC