Rome/Paris

A fresh diplomatic controversy has surfaced between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump after remarks attributed to Trump during an interview with an Italian television channel sparked a strong reaction from Rome.

Speaking to broadcaster La7, Trump reportedly claimed that Meloni had insisted on taking a photograph with him during the recent G7 Summit in Évian, France, and said he agreed because he felt sympathy for her.

The comments drew an immediate response from Meloni, who rejected the claim and described it as entirely untrue. In a video message shared on social media platform X, the Italian Prime Minister expressed surprise and disappointment over the remarks.

Meloni said Trump's account of the interaction was fabricated and questioned why the US President would make such statements about a close ally. She also suggested that Washington should display the same firmness toward adversaries that it often shows toward friendly nations.

Emphasising Italy's dignity and independence, she asserted that neither she nor her country would ever seek favour or validation from anyone.

The dispute quickly escalated, prompting Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to cancel his scheduled visit to the United States later this month.

Announcing the decision on X, Tajani condemned Trump's remarks as offensive and said they had insulted not only Meloni but Italy as a whole. He said the cancellation of his planned June 21-22 trip reflected the seriousness with which the Italian government viewed the issue.

The controversy stems from Trump's interview with La7, where he reportedly stated that Meloni had requested a photo opportunity with him during the G7 gathering and that he had agreed out of pity.

The remarks have triggered criticism from across Italy's political spectrum and have cast a shadow over relations between the two leaders.

Despite the latest tensions, Meloni continues to remain an influential figure on the international stage. She has also attracted considerable public attention for her cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders have frequently met at major global forums, including recent G7 summits, where their interactions have often highlighted growing cooperation between India and Italy.

Their friendly public exchanges have gained significant popularity online, giving rise to the widely used social media hashtag “#Melodi.”

During the 2026 G7 Summit in Évian, Meloni jokingly referred to herself and Modi as “the most famous couple on Instagram,” drawing widespread attention.

Earlier, during Modi's visit to Rome, he presented Meloni with a packet of India's popular Melody toffees, a gesture that went viral on social media and generated massive engagement online.

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Meloni has on several occasions praised Modi's leadership and popularity, while their informal interactions and social media posts have continued to attract global interest.