In an open diplomatic crisis, Donald Trump's conflict with Georgia Meloni is developing, following the derogatory remarks made by the American president about the Italian Prime Minister and the decision of Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tayani, to cancel his planned visit to the United States. Rome described Trump's statements as "serious and offensive", mentioning an insult not only to Meloni, but to the whole of Italy.
The tension began on the margins of the G7, where Trump and Meloni appeared to chat in seemingly loose climate.
In informal discussion with European leaders, the American president allegedly publicly teased the Italian Prime Minister, repeating the phrase "you abandoned me". Meloni responded smiling that "we were always friends", attempting to keep low tones.
The situation escalated, however, when Trump, speaking on the Italian network La7, argued that Meloni "begged him" for a photo during the Session. "He wanted so much a picture with me. I didn't have to take it off, but I felt sorry for it," the American president said, in a formulation that caused an immediate political and diplomatic reaction in Italy.
Meloni's response came through social networks and was particularly sharp. The Italian Prime Minister said "surprised" by Trump's placement, describing his description as "absolutely constructed". At the same time, he wondered why the president of the United States chose to behave in this way towards his allies, leaving sharps that he often appears more conciliatory towards opponents of the West. Her message ended with the phrase that dominated the Italian public debate: "Italy and I never beg".
Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. pic.twitter. com/sTpKlqWB67— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 19, 2026
The cancellation of the Tayani visitThe political reaction in Rome was immediate. Antonio Tayani, foreign minister and vice president of the Italian government, announced that he was cancelling the trip to the United States on Sunday and Monday. He described Trump's comments as "seriously and offensive", stressing that they do not only affect the Prime Minister, but affect Italy's dignity.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancells his trip to the US after the serious and offer statement made by US President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, says the reports have been offered all of Italy.
Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/h0eBpifVIe pic.twitter. com/RS0Cy3lX29— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) June 19, 2026
The confrontation caused reactions across the Italian political spectrum. Government officials supported Meloni, and even political opponents of the Italian Prime Minister condemned the way Trump referred to her. The case gains particular weight, as Meloni was until recently considered one of Trump's closest ideological allies in Europe.
The relationship of the two leaders had been built in previous years on joint references to the conservative political agenda, migration, national sovereignty and criticism towards Brussels. Meloni had politically supported Trump and had sought to appear as a bridge between conservative Europe and the new American government.
However, disagreements had begun to accumulate. The Italian Prime Minister was differentiated from American positions on tariff issues, rejected US unilateral initiatives in Iran and insisted on Rome's need to move within a European and NATO framework. The tension was reinforced following the American involvement in the crisis with Iran, with the Italian government choosing a more cautious attitude, aligned with the common European line.
Trump, in the same interview with the Italian media, also launched an attack on Europe on its immigration policy and energy strategy, arguing that Europeans have done "everything wrong" in these two areas.