‘Italy never begs’: Meloni blasts Trump over ‘fabricated’ photo claim

Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices

• Trump doubles down on feud with Italy’s Meloni: ‘She was a big fan’.

  reliability high5/5 sources

• 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.

  reliability moderate3/4 sources

• 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.

  reliability moderate2/3 sources

• 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.

  reliability moderate2/3 sources

• Italy’s prime minister said the U.S. president ‘made up’ his claim that she ‘begged’ him to take a photo together

  reliability moderate2/2 sources

• Meloni hits back sharply Ms. Meloni responded: “Donald Trump’s statements ⁠are completely made up.

  reliability moderate2/2 sources

• 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.

  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 +1

• Trump'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 +1

• Opposition 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 +1

• Enough 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 +1

• However, 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 +1

• Jun 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 Europe

• Far-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 Europe

• Published - June 19, 2026 06:18 pm IST

  according to The Hindu — International

• However, 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 News

• The 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

Framing by sidesame fact, different words — loaded terms highlighted

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 / Agencies

• 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…

  omitted byLeft sideCentercovered byPublic / Agencies

• Italy’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 side

• 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.

  omitted byCentercovered byLeft sidePublic / Agencies

• When 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

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