G7 Photo Claim
Trump Claims Meloni 'Begged' for G7 Photo, Contradicting Reports of Reconciliation
Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" him for a photo at the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. "She begged me to take a photo with her! I wouldn't have accepted, but I felt sorry for her," Trump told La7 correspondent Daniele Compatangelo in a direct phone call on June 19, according to Noticias Nova.
The remark blows up the narrative that Trump and Meloni had "patched things up" at the summit just days earlier. Anonymous Italian government sources had told El Financiero on June 16 that their sideline meeting "cleared the air." Trump's own words now say otherwise.
A Once-Solid Alliance That Fractured Fast
Trump and Meloni were once called the "new axis" of the international Right. That relationship began to crack in March 2026, when Italy refused to let the U.S. use the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily for combat strikes against Iran. The refusal created a major strategic problem for Washington, according to Infobae.
Then came the Pope. Trump posted AI-generated images of himself as a Christ-like figure and called Pope Leo XIV "pessimo" — Italian for "terrible" — after the Pontiff condemned the destruction in Iran. Meloni called Trump's comments "unacceptable." Trump fired back in an interview, saying Meloni "lacks courage" and the relationship was "no longer the same," El Diario reported.
The Évian Summit Photo That Hid Deeper Tensions
The 52nd G7 Summit ran June 15–17 in the French resort town of Évian-les-Bains — 23 years after the last G8 held there in 2003. Trump and Meloni held a brief private meeting on the sidelines. Italian sources quickly spun it as a reconciliation. The G7 communiqué itself called the summit "very productive" and focused on Ukraine and energy security, largely ignoring the personal rift, according to Última Hora.
Trump's June 19 phone call revealed a very different version of events. Rather than a summit that sealed peace, Trump painted a picture of a weakened leader seeking a photo for political cover. His office has offered no formal statement. Meloni's office has also stayed silent so far, according to LaSexta.
Three Fault Lines Splitting Italy and Washington
Analysts point to three core issues. First, the Iran war: the U.S.-Israel conflict, which began February 28, has now lasted over 100 days. Italy's refusal to allow strikes from Sigonella angered Washington. Second, the Vatican: in a deeply Catholic country, Trump's attacks on the Pope forced Meloni to choose between her ally and her voters, according to Política Exterior.
Third, energy costs. The war has sent oil prices to record highs. Meloni argues this is hurting Europe while benefiting Russia — a direct contradiction of Trump's "America First" energy goals. Trump, for his part, has kept calling European energy and immigration policy "a disaster," according to Noticias Nova.
What Comes Next for Italy's Diplomatic Standing
Italian outlets La Stampa and La Repubblica are now describing the situation as a "total divorce." Left-wing Italian politicians say the moment proves the danger of allying with Trump. Some analysts, however, say Trump's "pity" comment could actually help Meloni at home — casting her as a defender of the Pope against an aggressive U.S. president, according to El Periódico.
The bigger risk is structural. Italy may now push harder for an EU-led format to handle Middle East talks, cutting Washington out. The U.S. could respond by moving military assets away from Sigonella to more cooperative regional partners. Either move would mark a permanent break in a transatlantic relationship that, just one year ago, looked unshakeable, according to Política Exterior.
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