Donald Trump disputes with Italy's Giorgia Meloni over photo request at G7

During the G7 summit in southern France, U.S. President Donald Trump told Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that she had begged him for a joint photograph. Trump said on Italian TV that he felt sorry for having declined the request. Meloni responded on Instagram, rejecting the claim and stating that “Italy never begs,” calling the president’s remarks fabricated.

The clash follows months of tension, including Italy’s refusal to let the United States use a base in Sicily for operations against Iran and Meloni’s criticism of Trump’s comments about the Pope. Adding to the diplomatic drama, Kremlin foreign‑policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said in Russian state media that European leaders may have fed Trump “harmful ideas” during the summit, while asserting that the president remains steadfast in his own views.

Both incidents highlight a sharp deterioration in U.S.–Italy relations at a time when the G7 leaders were discussing Ukraine, energy policy and immigration.