Donald Trump says PM Modi among world’s ‘toughest leaders’
Donald Trump's statement closely mirrored his remarks during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Evian, France.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “frankly stunned” by Donald Trump’s “made-up” comments to a TV channel, wherein the US President claimed that Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph at the G7 Summit.
On Friday, Italy reacted angrily to Trump’s comments mocking Meloni, with the foreign minister cancelling a planned visit to the United States.
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The two global leaders were seen in close conversation during the G7 Summit at Evian-les-Bains in eastern France this week. Later on, the Italian leader told mediapersons that their relationship was unchanged, adding that there had been “no recriminations”.
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What Donald Trump said?
In a phone interview with Italy’s La7 TV channel, Trump claimed that Meloni “begged” him for a picture.
“She begged me to take a photo with her; I felt sorry for her,” Trump said.
He added, “She’s probably happy I spoke to her”.
Notably, La7 did not provide the US President’s original words in English and voiced them over in Italian.
This comes after the two of them were spotted several times at Evian, including while they appeared engrossed in conversation on a sofa, with Meloni smiling as they talked to each other.
Giorgia Meloni hits back
Reacting in total disbelief, Meloni shared a video on social media and said she was “frankly stunned” by Trump’s remarks.
“I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards allies,” Meloni said and added that this was not the first time it had happened.
She further noted that Trump’s statement was “made up” and she was “frankly stunned” by it.
Io e l’Italia non imploriamo mai. pic.twitter.com/sTpKlqWB67
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 19, 2026
“I can only say it is regrettable he does not show the same determination towards the enemies of the West and towards the enemies of the US – (enemies) whose leaders he instead appears to be far more accommodating with,” she added.
The Italian Prime Minister further went on to add, “But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
The latest outburst comes after a series of incidents in recent times that have significantly weakened what started as a close political relationship between the two sides.
Meloni, who was elected in 2022, was the sole European leader to have attend Donald Trump’s inauguration in January last year.
In reaction to Trump’s interview, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella phoned Meloni to offer his support.
Filippo Sensi, a senator from the opposition Democratic Party, stated that no one had the right to speak to an Italian prime minister in such an arrogant tone, BBC reported.
Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte added that the country did not deserve such humiliation.
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