The most consequential story of the day unfolded between Rome and Washington. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared herself “dismayed” after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in a televised phone interview on Italian channel La7 that she had “begged” him to take a photo together at the recent G7 summit in Evian, France.
Meloni shot back swiftly, calling Trump’s declarations “totally invented.” The diplomatic fallout was immediate: Italy’s foreign minister cancelled a planned visit to the United States. The episode underscores the increasingly volatile nature of transatlantic relations and Trump’s willingness to make provocative claims about even ostensibly friendly allies. For Meloni, who has sought to position herself as a bridge between Europe and the Trump White House, the public humiliation marks a significant turning point.
