'All hell breaks loose' as Italy's PM goes ballistic over 'made up' Trump story

A diplomatic firestorm erupted Friday after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused President Trump of fabricating a story about her — and her government responded by canceling a planned diplomatic visit to Washington.

The dispute traces back to comments Trump made to Italian channel La7, claiming Meloni had "begged" him for a photo together at the G7 summit, reported Reuters.

"She's probably happy I talked to her," Trump said, according to the network's dubbed translation. "I didn't have to talk to her. I felt sorry for her."

Meloni didn't hold back in her response to the 80-year-old Trump's characterization of the encounter.

"Donald Trump's statements are completely made up," Meloni said. "I am frankly astonished. I don't know why ⁠the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies. It is not the first time, moreover."

"I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence," she added. "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani scrapped his planned U.S. visit, writing on X that Trump's "serious and offensive words" toward Meloni "offend the whole of Italy."

Journalist Antonello Guerrera characterized it on X as, "All hell breaks loose between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni."

Giovanbattista Fazzolari, a close Meloni ally and government undersecretary, went further, suggesting Trump was actively damaging the transatlantic alliance. "It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude he is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," he said.

The clash undercuts what had looked like a thaw between the two right-wing leaders, who appeared friendly just days earlier at the G7. Video showed them in close conversation on a shared sofa. That followed earlier tension this year, after Meloni criticized Trump for attacking Pope Leo over his comments on the Iran war — a rebuke that prompted Trump to accuse her of lacking courage.

Meloni had once been among Trump's most prominent European allies, the only EU leader to attend his 2025 inauguration.