ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday lashed out at US President Donald Trump after he claimed that she "begged" for a photo with him, accusing Trump of being more obliging to the leadership of "the enemies of the West," referring to Iran, than to his allies.

As a staunch champion of Atlanticism, Meloni has long maintained a pro-Trump stance, smoothing over tensions with the president on several occasions. This time, however, she drew a clear line, declaring that “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

A similar situation arose not long ago, when Trump criticized Meloni in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. On that occasion, however, the prime minister chose not to respond publicly. This time, things have played out differently.

“Certain things require an immediate response: Donald Trump’s statements are entirely fabricated, and quite frankly, I am appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States treats his allies this way; it is, after all, not the first time this has happened,” Meloni said in a video shared on her social media profiles.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday lashed out at US President Donald Trump after he claimed that she "begged" for a photo with him, accusing Trump of being more "obliging" to the leadership of "the enemies of the West," referring to Iran, than to his allies pic.twitter.com/n4hINlkv7w

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“I can only say it’s a shame he doesn't show the same determination with the enemies of the West and the enemies of the United States – leaders with whom, instead, he proves to be far more accommodating. But there is one thing he must remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg,” she concluded, referencing the perceived advantages garnered by Iran in the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

The source of the discord

The latest dispute stems from a phone interview conducted by White House correspondent Daniele Compatangelo, who asked Trump to comment on key international issues in the wake of the G7 summit in Evian. Although the conversation began with a discussion of Ukraine, Trump quickly shifted his focus to the Italian premier, making a series of striking remarks that took many by surprise.

“[Meloni] is probably happy that I even spoke to her—I wasn't obligated to do it!” Trump said.

"I don't know what to tell you! She was begging me to take a photo with her! She wanted a photo with me so badly. I wouldn't have even bothered, but I felt sorry for her!" he continued.

The comments were particularly unexpected because the two leaders had appeared to reconcile at the G7 summit after Trump had previously criticized Meloni for refusing to grant US military aircraft access to the Sigonella air base in Sicily during operations bound for the US-Israel war on Iran last March.

"The Europeans," Trump continued, "got it all wrong on energy and immigration, and if they don't fix these problems, Europe probably won't be the same anymore. They probably won't be able to fix them. Immigration is a disaster, and energy – with all those wind turbines that are a failure – it's a disaster."

Italian diplomatic backlash

In a show of support for Meloni, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he has called off his upcoming visit in Miami.

“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June,” he wrote on X on Friday.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also spoke out in support of Meloni, commenting on the matter on X on Friday.

“I cannot imagine Giorgia Meloni asking anyone for a photograph, not even under threat. What I can imagine is how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks earlier in order to act in the interests of Italy, Europe, and the West. And I can also imagine how difficult it will be for her not to comment on this latest lapse in judgment by the US president in the way it deserves.

Although calling it a ‘lapse in judgment’ is, in this case, an implicit and undeserved compliment, what is truly troubling is that remarks of this kind benefit no one: not the United States, not Italy, and not the alliance.”

Italian President Sergio Mattarella called Meloni in light of the news, expressing his support to the Rome-born politician.