'Don't Intend To Keep Fueling Dispute': Meloni Calls For Normal Italy-US Ties After Trump Photo Spat

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 03:52 IST

Meloni's remarks come days after a public spat with Trump, who accused her of “begging” for a photograph during the G7 summit in France.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday sought to draw a line under her public dispute with US President Donald Trump, saying she did not intend to prolong the row and wanted bilateral relations between Rome and Washington to “return to normal."

“I do not intend to keep fueling this dispute. I believe our bilateral relationship with the United States should return to normal," Meloni said, adding that she did not know whether various theories circulating about the controversy were true.

Meloni’s remarks come days after a public spat with Trump, who accused her of “begging" for a photograph during the G7 summit in France and said he agreed only because he “felt sorry for her."

Also Read: Trump Claims Meloni Begged Him For A Photo At G7 Summit, Italian PM Says ‘Completely Made Up’

Speaking about the photo war, the Italian leader said she had been “genuinely surprised" by the episode and insisted that her earlier remarks expressing surprise had been sincere.

Referring to speculation surrounding the dispute, including viral videos and claims that the controversy was intended to distract from developments involving Iran or NATO, Meloni said she had no intention of engaging further.

“I’ve obviously read the various interpretations that have been circulating… I don’t know whether any of these explanations are true," she said.

Emphasising the long-standing nature of ties between the two allies, Meloni said relations between Italy and the United States were built on decades of cooperation and could not be redefined by a disagreement on social media.

“These are relationships built on such a long and solid history of cooperation that they don’t simply disappear or get redefined because of an argument on social media," she said.

Meloni also rejected suggestions that Italy’s foreign policy would change because of the dispute, saying Rome remained committed to strong transatlantic ties.

“I am not changing my mind… It will be the same foreign policy it has been for the last 80 years. I have not changed my view on how important it is to keep the relationship between the United States and Europe strong," she said.

Also Read: ‘Italy Never Begs’: Meloni Hits Back At Trump As Her Govt Accuses US Of ‘Destroying’ Historic Ties

Calling for a more serious approach to international affairs, Meloni said foreign policy should not be treated like entertainment.

“We need to bring foreign policy back to the depth that foreign policy requires… foreign policy is far more complex than that," she said.

‘Italy And I Never Beg’: Trump, Meloni Engage In Photo War

Speaking to Italy’s La7 television channel, Trump claimed that Meloni had repeatedly sought a photograph with him.

“She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her. She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said.

Meloni dismissed the remarks, saying she was “astonished" by Trump’s comments, which she claimed were “completely made up".

Also Read: ‘Doing Poorly In Italy’: Trump Escalates Feud With Meloni, Says She Asked For Photo ‘Over And Over’

“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened. I can only say it’s a shame that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating. However, one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg," Meloni had replied.

The photo war further escalated when Trump wrote on Truth Social that Meloni asked him for a photo “over and over" during the G7 Summit in France.

“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!)", Trump said.

“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called" NATO Allies", the US president added.

Soon, Meloni responded to Trump that “these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless".

“As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done," Meloni said in a post on Instagram. She added that “in any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours," the Italian PM said.

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Prisha Vibhavari

Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st...Read More

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