‘Italy never begs’: Meloni blasts Trump over ‘fabricated’ photo claim
Trump doubles down on feud with Italy’s Meloni: ‘She was a big fan’.
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Summary
Trump doubles down on feud with Italy’s Meloni: ‘She was a big fan’. When Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as US president in 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the only European leader invited to attend, promising the start of a golden age in relations between Washington and Rome. However, the war in Iran put Meloni in a corner and the situation deteriorated sharply in April when Trump lashed out at Pope Leo over his criticism of the conflict.
Furthermore, But that hope was shattered when the US president told an Italian TV channel that Ms Meloni had "begged" him to take a photo with her. Italy’s prime minister said the U.S. president ‘made up’ his claim that she ‘begged’ him to take a photo together. Meloni hits back sharply Ms. Meloni responded: “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up.
In addition, The Italian prime minister has accused Trump of making up a story that she ‘begged’ him for a photo at the G7 summit in France. Meloni said she was “astonished” by his comments, which were “completely made up”.
One point remains disputed: Opposite versions — I am frankly stunned,” she said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States… ; I don’t understand why the president of the United States behaves this way with his….
Cross-referenced from 9 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
Trump doubles down on feud with Italy’s Meloni: ‘She was a big fan’.
reliability high5/5 sourcesWhen Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as US president in 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the only European leader invited to attend, promising the start of a golden age in relations between Washington and Rome.
reliability moderate3/4 sourcesHowever, the war in Iran put Meloni in a corner and the situation deteriorated sharply in April when Trump lashed out at Pope Leo over his criticism of the conflict.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesBut that hope was shattered when the US president told an Italian TV channel that Ms Meloni had "begged" him to take a photo with her.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesItaly’s prime minister said the U.S. president ‘made up’ his claim that she ‘begged’ him to take a photo together
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesMeloni hits back sharply Ms. Meloni responded: “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up.
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesThe Italian prime minister has accused Trump of making up a story that she ‘begged’ him for a photo at the G7 summit in France.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
Meloni said she was “astonished” by his comments, which were “completely made up”.
according to The Hindu — International +1Trump's 2024 election triumph appeared to open the way for Meloni to forge a special relationship with a political ally who shared a similar ideological vision, and thereby serve as a bridge between Washington and a largely sceptical Europe.
according to RTÉ News — World +1Opposition leaders were quick to highlight how the unprecedented falling out had revealed the failure of Meloni's original strategy of flattery and friendship.
according to RTÉ News — World +1Enough with MAGA caps and enough with building bridges with Trump," said former Prime Minister MatteoRenzi, who heads a centrist opposition group.
according to The Straits Times - World +1However, analysts said the country would now expect Meloni to adopt a more consistent approach with Washington and give up on her previous efforts at a rapprochement with a mercurial president, who has upended traditional diplomatic etiquette.
according to The Straits Times - World +1Jun 17 8 mins read Peculiar alliance with visiting pope a blessing for Spain’s Sánchez Pontiff and Socialist leader overlap on issues from migration to the Middle East.
according to Politico EuropeFar-right general upends Italian politics Ahead of next year’s election, Meloni has to decide whether to embrace firebrand ex-paratrooper Roberto Vannacci.
according to Politico EuropePublished - June 19, 2026 06:18 pm IST
according to The Hindu — InternationalHowever, the pair have diverged during Trump’s second term over several issues, including support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, the US-Israeli war with Iran, Trump’s threats to seize the Danish territory of Greenland and his criticism of Pope Leo.
according to Al Jazeera English — All NewsThe broadcaster only published a dubbed Italian version of the interview, not the original English version. “She begged me to take a picture with her.
according to Al Jazeera English — All News
Disputedincompatible versions — to verify
Opposite versions
- I am frankly stunned,” she said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States…Al Jazeera English — All News
- I don’t understand why the president of the United States behaves this way with his…RT
Framing by sidesame fact, different words — loaded terms highlighted
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Blind spotwhat one side keeps silent
The Italian prime minister has accused Trump of making up a story that she ‘begged’ him for a photo at the G7 summit in France.
omitted byLeft sideCentercovered byPublic / AgenciesHowever, the war in Iran put Meloni in a corner and the situation deteriorated sharply in April when Trump lashed out at Pope Leo over his…
omitted byLeft sideCentercovered byPublic / AgenciesItaly’s prime minister said the U.S. president ‘made up’ his claim that she ‘begged’ him to take a photo together
omitted byCenterPublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideBut that hope was shattered when the US president told an Italian TV channel that Ms Meloni had "begged" him to take a photo with her.
omitted byCentercovered byLeft sidePublic / AgenciesWhen Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as US president in 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the only European…
omitted byCentercovered byLeft sidePublic / Agencies
Sources8 sources cross-checked
Story timelinehow this story developed, day by day
Wednesday, June 24
Senate adopts House-passed Iran resolution in symbolic rebuke of Trump
Reliability 87 · very high195 sources66 independent voices48 countries · 19 languagesCross-blocFraming differs4 disputedblind spot · Left siderewrites detected
Tuesday, June 23
Senate votes to limit Trump’s Iran war powers
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Sunday, June 21
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Reliability 89 · very high20 sources10 independent voices11 countries · 2 languagesCross-blocblind spot · Left siderewrites detected
Thursday, June 18
Trump signs initial agreement to end Iran war and open the Strait of Hormuz as nuclear talks continue
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