19/06/2026 18:13 - Internacionales
Dos líderes políticos en conferencia internacional, ambiente diplomático tenso, banderas de Italia y Estados Unidos, expresiones firmes y determinadas
Former US President Donald Trump gave a phone interview to Italian network La7 on Friday, June 19, 2026, making explosive claims that triggered an immediate diplomatic crisis with one of America's closest European allies.
According to the transcript released by the Italian media, Trump claimed that during the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had desperately asked him for a photograph.
"At the G7 summit, she begged me to take a photo with her. I felt sorry for her. She begged me for a photo! She really wanted a photo with me. I wouldn't have accepted, but I felt sorry for her!"
The Italian Prime Minister didn't wait long to respond. In a video released on her social media channels, Meloni described Trump's statements as "completely fabricated" and expressed her astonishment.
"Donald Trump's statements are totally invented. Honestly, I'm stunned. I don't know why the US President behaves this way with his own allies. After all, this isn't the first time this has happened."
Meloni added a pointed message: "I can only say it's a shame he doesn't show the same determination against the enemies of the West, against the enemies of the United States, against leaders with whom, instead, he is much more accommodating."
The defining phrase: "But there's one thing he must remember: Italy and I do not beg."
The Italian government's response was swift and unanimous. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his scheduled trip to the United States planned for Sunday and Monday.
"The grave and offensive words of President Trump toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy", Tajani wrote on social media.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that the business and scientific forum in Miami that Tajani was scheduled to attend had been canceled.
Solidarity with Meloni extended across the entire Italian political spectrum:
Even President Sergio Mattarella, Italy's respected head of state, made a supportive phone call to Meloni.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his solidarity with Meloni during a European Council meeting:
"All my solidarity. I've not only said this publicly, but also privately, at the European Council itself I conveyed my solidarity regarding this attack which is neither political nor personal... honestly I don't even know how to characterize it."
The relationship between Trump and Meloni had started promisingly. Both leaders share ideological positions on many issues: curbing migration and promoting traditional values.
In 2025, weeks before Trump's inauguration, Meloni met with him at Mar-a-Lago, a visit she described as having "exceeded expectations" and promising a "very solid" relationship.
However, significant differences emerged in recent months:
| Conflict Point | Trump's Position | Meloni's Position |
|---|---|---|
| Iran War | Total support | Did not endorse, called it illegal |
| Ukraine | More tepid stance | Firm support |
| Tariffs | Imposed on Europe | In disagreement |
| Israel and Gaza | Unconditional support | More critical |
| Greenland | Threatened to take by force | Italy would never support |
Trump also attacked Meloni in April when she defended Pope Leo XIV after the US leader's criticisms.
When NBC asked Trump about the controversy, he didn't directly address the photo issue and claimed Meloni "was a great admirer."
"But I don't want her as an admirer because she wasn't there, along with the NATO group, regarding the Strait", he added, referencing his demands for European allies to become more involved in Washington's efforts to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Political scientist Lorenzo Castellani from Rome's Luiss Guido Carli University noted that this situation could actually benefit Meloni domestically:
"In a way, this was a favor to Giorgia Meloni, in the sense that, until a few months ago, she was accused of being a kind of vassal to Trump in Europe. Italian public opinion toward the US President has cooled."
At the time of reporting, the White House had not responded to requests for comment on Meloni's statements.
Sources: La Prensa, Infobae, EFE
Alfredo S. Quiroga
