In a dramatic turn of events at the G7 summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly debunked former US President Donald Trump’s claim that he humiliated her during a meeting last year. The allegation, which Trump had repeated in recent weeks, was dismissed by Meloni as ‘entirely fabricated’ during a press conference in Brussels. This comes as the UK government throws its weight behind Meloni, with Downing Street sources confirming that British officials had privately corroborated her account.
Westminster insiders note that the row has exposed deep fractures within the transatlantic alliance. Trump’s version of events, in which he claimed to have ‘schooled’ Meloni on trade and migration, was reportedly based on a single phone call. Meloni’s team, however, has produced transcripts showing she held her ground. One Italian diplomat described Trump’s account as ‘pure fantasy’.
The Prime Minister, aware of the delicate balancing act, has publicly declined to comment on Trump’s claims. But behind the scenes, Whitehall figures are clear. A senior No. 10 source told me: ‘We stand with our allies. The facts are clear.’ This is a carefully calibrated move. The UK, desperate to maintain its Global Britain posture, cannot afford to pick sides in a US-Italy spat. But the subtext is unmistakable: the establishment is weary of Trump’s revisionism.
Backbench MPs are watching closely. One Conservative backbencher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: ‘It’s a relief to see the government back Meloni. Trump’s antics are a distraction. We need to focus on real issues.’ Labour, meanwhile, has seized on the incident, accusing the government of being ‘too slow’ to defend allied leaders. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy called for a full statement to Parliament.
The timing is awkward for the PM. With party conference season approaching, the last thing he needs is a transatlantic row. But the Meloni camp appears determined to set the record straight. Italian sources say they have shared full details of the meeting with British and European officials. Expect more leaks in the coming days.
What happens next? The Trump camp is unlikely to back down. His allies in the US media have already called Meloni’s claims a ‘cover-up’. But the balance of power has shifted. The UK’s backing adds weight to Meloni’s version. This could be a defining moment for the G7’s credibility. Watch this space.
