A rift widens between Trump and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni : NPR

Key Points:

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused former President Donald Trump of fabricating a story that she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit, calling his statements "completely fabricated" and expressing shock at his behavior toward allies.
• The controversy stems from a phone interview Trump gave to an Italian journalist, in which he allegedly claimed Meloni was happy to talk to him and begged for a photo, though NPR has not independently verified the exact words.
• Italy's government and politicians across the spectrum have strongly condemned Trump's remarks, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling a U.S. trip and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi defending Meloni.
• The incident highlights a significant rift between Meloni and Trump, once considered close allies, especially after Meloni criticized Trump’s social media attacks on Pope Leo XIV earlier in 2025.
• Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister since 2022, was notably the only EU leader invited to Trump's second inauguration, but their relationship has deteriorated amid growing political tensions.