The Chancellor of Italy, Antonio Tajanicanceled this Friday (June 19, 2026) an official visit to the United States after the North American president, (Republican Party)state that the Italian Prime Minister, (Brothers from Italy, right)during the G7 summit, held in Évian-les-Bains. Meloni denied the statements and said she was appalled by Trump’s behavior.
The speeches were released by the broadcaster La7. According to the transcript published by the vehicle, Trump said that Meloni insisted on posing by his side during the meeting of the group that brings together some of the largest economies in the world. The broadcaster did not release the audio of the interview.
During the G7 summit, Trump declared: “She’s probably happy that I talked to her. I didn’t need to talk to her.”. According to the La7 transcript, the American president added that the prime minister begged for a photograph and that he only agreed because he felt sorry for her.
A few hours after the statements were released, Meloni published a video to refute Trump. The prime minister classified the statements as “completely invented” and said she was surprised by the president’s attitude.
“Frankly, I’m appalled. I don’t know why the US president behaves like this towards his allies. And it’s not the first time.”he stated.
Meloni also compared Trump’s treatment of allies and adversaries.
“I can only regret that he does not show the same determination towards the enemies of the West and the USA, whose leaders he treats with much more leniency”he declared.
REACTION FROM THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT
In solidarity with the prime minister, Tajani announced the cancellation of the trip and classified Trump’s words as serious and offensive. According to the chancellor, the statements “they offend all of Italy”.
Other members of the Italian government adopted a similar tone. Giovanbattista Fazzolariundersecretary of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and one of Meloni’s main allies, accused Trump of damaging historic relations between the US and Europe.
“With his inadequate attacks, he achieved a far from simple feat: making the US unpopular throughout Europe, harming not only Europe, but above all the US itself”he stated.
WEAR BETWEEN ITALY AND USA
Meloni was among Trump’s main supporters in Europe and was the only European leader to participate in his presidential inauguration in 2025.
The relationship between the 2 leaders was already accumulating tensions before the G7. In April 2026, Trump publicly criticized Meloni for refusing to involve Italy in the conflict with Iran. At the time, he said he was disappointed with what he classified as the prime minister’s lack of courage.
Meloni also condemned Trump’s verbal attacks on Leo XIV after the pontiff criticized the conflict with Iran.
