Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump that she had “begged” him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit and said the story was totally fabricated.&nbsp;Meloni said she was astonished by Trump’s comments, which she described as “completely made up” and an unnecessary slight against a long-standing ally.&nbsp;In an interview with Italian television channel La7 after the G7 summit in France, Trump reportedly suggested that Meloni was very eager to be photographed with him and that he had only agreed out of sympathy.Video footage from the summit showed the two leaders sitting together and engaged in an extended conversation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-s-anti-hate-legislation-comes-into-effect-will-reign-in-pro-khalistan-elements-anti-semites-1781869993056">Canada’s anti-hate legislation comes into effect, will rein in pro-Khalistan elements, anti-Semites</a><h2>‘Completely made up. I am frankly astonished’: Meloni</h2>&nbsp;Meloni dismissed Trump’s claims in a strongly worded statement, saying, “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished.”&nbsp;The Italian PM also criticised what she described as Trump’s tendency to treat allies more harshly than geopolitical rivals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. <a href="https://t.co/sTpKlqWB67">pic.twitter.com/sTpKlqWB67</a>&mdash; Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) <a href="https://x.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/2067917590945788408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/right-to-walk-on-secured-footpaths-a-fundamental-right-says-sc-tells-govt-to-frame-law-1781866467647">Right to walk on secured footpaths a fundamental right, says SC; tells govt to frame law</a>&nbsp;“I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence,” she said.Meloni concluded her response with a pointed message: “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”&nbsp;Trump had suggested in the interview that he indulged Meloni by chatting with her. “She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her,” Trump was quoted as saying by La7 TV channel.“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 said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-showed-desperation-for-deal-says-mojtaba-khamenei-hails-iranian-officials-efforts-1781808381038">‘Trump showed desperation for deal,’ says Mojtaba Khamenei, hails Iranian officials’ efforts</a>&nbsp;The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two right-wing leaders.Meloni was once among Trump’s strongest supporters in Europe and had even attended his inauguration in 2025. However, tensions grew this year after disagreements over the Iran conflict and Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo.&nbsp;As the war escalated, Meloni increasingly distanced herself from Trump, prompting a sharp response from the US leader, who accused her of lacking courage.&nbsp;<h2>Italy FM cancels US visit, says whole of Italy offended</h2>&nbsp;The war of words escalated as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States next week, describing Trump’s comments as offensive not only to Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Le gravi e offensive parole del Presidente Trump nei confronti del Presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni offendono tutta l’Italia. Per questo motivo ho deciso di annullare la mia visita negli Stati Uniti prevista per i prossimi 21 e 22 giugno.&mdash; Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) <a href="https://x.com/Antonio_Tajani/status/2067915395764244672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-not-merely-preparing-for-future-it-is-actively-shaping-it-pm-modi-tells-diaspora-in-paris-1781803373772">‘India not merely preparing for future, it is actively shaping it,’ PM Modi tells diaspora in Paris</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘US president succeeded in making America less popular across Europe’</h2>&nbsp;The dispute also prompted an unusually blunt intervention from Giovanbattista Fazzolari, one of Meloni’s closest political allies.Fazzolari accused Trump of damaging transatlantic relations and undermining historic ties between Europe and the United States.He said the US president had succeeded in making America less popular across Europe and warned that such rhetoric was harming both European and American interests.

The war of words escalated as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States next week, describing President Donald Trump’s comments as offensive not only to PM Giorgia Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump that she had “begged” him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit and said the story was totally fabricated. Meloni said she was astonished by Trump’s comments, which she described as “completely made up” and an unnecessary slight against a long-standing ally. In an interview with Italian television channel La7 after the G7 summit in France, Trump reportedly suggested that Meloni was very eager to be photographed with him and that he had only agreed out of sympathy. Video footage from the summit showed the two leaders sitting together and engaged in an extended conversation. Also Read: Canada’s anti-hate legislation comes into effect, will rein in pro-Khalistan elements, anti-Semites ‘Completely made up. I am frankly astonished’: Meloni Meloni dismissed Trump’s claims in a strongly worded statement, saying, “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished.” The Italian PM also criticised what she described as Trump’s tendency to treat allies more harshly than geopolitical rivals.

The war of words escalated as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of a planned visit to the United States next week, describing President Donald Trump’s comments as offensive not only to PM Giorgia Meloni but also to Italy as a whole.

‘Astonished’ Meloni rebuffs Trump’s G7 photo ‘begging’ story, calls it ‘completely made up’

A tongue-in-cheek social media post by Iran’s diplomatic mission has sparked widespread amusement online, with users hailing it as a case of “troll diplomacy” amid a reported fallout involving Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump.&nbsp;The Iranian Embassy in Ghana went viral after posting a mock “job application” addressed to Italy, following tensions between Meloni and Trump that were reportedly triggered by the Italian leader’s defence of Pope Leo XIV and his calls for peace.&nbsp;In the post shared by its official handle, the embassy playfully referred to Trump as the “Commander in Grief” while suggesting that Iran could step in as Italy’s new ally. “Dear Italy, Your PM just defended Pope and lost an ally in Washington… We’d like to apply for the vacancy,” the post read.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-energy-cooperation-lavrov-putin-visit-1776252734816">Russia will help stabilise energy prices in China ahead of Vladimir Putin visit</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dear Italy, Your PM just defended Pope and lost an ally in Washington — the Commander in Grief, yet the most &#39;powerfool&#39;man on earth. We&#39;d like to apply for the vacancy. Our qualifications: 7,000 years of civilization, a shared love of poetry, architecture, and food that…&mdash; Iran in Ghana (@IRAN_GHANA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRAN_GHANA/status/2044317591607349295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The message went on to list Iran’s “qualifications”, citing “7,000 years of civilisation” and a “shared love of poetry, architecture, and food that takes longer to prepare than Trump’s attention span”. The remark drew laughter across social media platforms for its sharp wit and cultural references.&nbsp;The embassy also injected humour into culinary history, joking about a long-running “cold war” between Iran and Italy over the origins of ice cream. “The only thing Iran and Italy have ever fought over is who invented ice cream. Faloodeh came first. Gelato came louder,” it said.<h2>Internet reaction</h2>The post quickly gained traction on X, where users responded with a mix of humour, debate, and historical commentary. One user quipped about Italian culinary traditions, asking whether pasta is cut into smaller pieces in Iran, adding that doing so would render one “persona non grata” in Italy.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-all-options-on-table-to-will-fail-iran-us-harden-stance-amid-possible-second-round-of-peace-talks-iran-us-war-updates-1776249974579">'All options on table' to 'will fail': Iran, US harden stance as truce end nears</a>&nbsp;Others weighed in with historical observations. One commenter questioned Iran’s claim of 7,000 years of civilisation, pointing out that Islam dates back roughly 1,400 years. The remark prompted replies highlighting the deep pre-Islamic roots of Persian civilisation.&nbsp;Several users praised the embassy’s tone, with one noting that “if diplomacy ran on poetry and desserts, this alliance would already be signed”. Another described the post as an example of how Iranian diplomatic accounts have used humour to build goodwill and present a different image of the country online.&nbsp;

The Iranian Embassy in Ghana went viral for a "troll diplomacy" post, jokingly applying to be Italy's new ally after reported tensions between Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump.

A tongue-in-cheek social media post by Iran’s diplomatic mission has sparked widespread amusement online, with users hailing it as a case of “troll diplomacy” amid a reported fallout involving Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump. The Iranian Embassy in Ghana went viral after posting a mock “job application” addressed to Italy, following tensions between Meloni and Trump that were reportedly triggered by the Italian leader’s defence of Pope Leo XIV and his calls for peace. In the post shared by its official handle, the embassy playfully referred to Trump as the “Commander in Grief” while suggesting that Iran could step in as Italy’s new ally. “Dear Italy, Your PM just defended Pope and lost an ally in Washington… We’d like to apply for the vacancy,” the post read. Also read: Russia will help stabilise energy prices in China ahead of Vladimir Putin visit

The Iranian Embassy in Ghana went viral for a "troll diplomacy" post, jokingly applying to be Italy's new ally after reported tensions between Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump.

‘Commander in Grief, yet most 'powerfool' man on earth’: Iran’s cheeky CV to Italy’s Meloni after Trump fallout

meloni-vs-trump

Meloni Vs Trump, News on Meloni Vs Trump, stories on Meloni Vs Trump, articles on Meloni Vs Trump, Meloni Vs Trump stories at Wion, Meloni Vs Trump news, Meloni Vs Trump latest news

meloni vs-trump

‘Astonished’ Meloni rebuffs Trump’s G7 photo ‘begging’ story, calls it ‘completely made up’

Iran’s cheeky CV to Italy’s Meloni after Trump fallout