A day after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly dismissed US President Donald Trump's claim that she had "begged" him for a photograph during this week's G7 summit, Trump on Saturday doubled down on his remarks, saying Meloni asked him "over and over" for a photo during the gathering in France.
Trump doubles down
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!)."
Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects… pic.twitter.com/58uCXdyMVc
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 20, 2026
He further said, "She wouldn't even let us use Italy's landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of billions of dollars a year to protect Italy and other 'so-called' NATO allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her 'numbers up.' No thanks!!!"
Earlier on Friday, Meloni rejected Trump's version of events in an Instagram post, calling his comments "completely fabricated". She said neither she nor Italy "ever beg" and added that some statements require an immediate rebuttal.
The Italian Prime Minister also questioned why the US President would make such remarks about allied nations, saying it was unfortunate that he did not display the same attitude towards the West's adversaries.
Trump had initially made the remarks during an interview with Italian television channel La7, where he claimed that Meloni was eager to take a picture with him and had "begged" for one. He further said that he agreed only because he "felt sorry for her."
