Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox party, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his remarks about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying it was a mistake to treat political allies as subordinates. The dispute erupted after Trump said Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, and that he agreed because he felt sorry for her. Meloni rejected his account as “made up” and said Italy does not beg.
In an interview on Telecinco’s La Mirada Crítica, Abascal said such conduct undermines relations between political allies. He argued that allies should not be treated as vassals. His criticism stood out given his previous ties to Trump’s political circle, including invitations to events organized by Trump’s party. Vox has also defended Meloni as an ally while describing some of Trump’s positions as hardly understandable.
On July 6, 2026, Trump posted a photograph with Meloni on Truth Social with the caption “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED,” shortly before traveling to Ankara for the NATO summit. The post followed his account of the G7 encounter and came amid a wider policy rift. Trump said his relationship with Meloni had deteriorated partly because she would not support the United States in its conflict with Iran, while adding that he continued to like her. Abascal reaffirmed his respect for Meloni, calling her a friend and ally and saying public disparagement of her was damaging.
The controversy drew a response from Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, who described Trump’s remarks as “grave and offensive” and canceled a planned visit to the United States. Meloni, meanwhile, was described as maintaining “cordial relations” with Trump, a distinction between personal friction and the continuing official relationship between the two countries.
Abascal also said disagreements among leaders with similar political outlooks can be inevitable when national interests diverge. He cited his differences with Argentine President Javier Milei over the EU-Mercosur agreement, which Abascal opposes and Milei supports. The example shows the limits of political alignment across national boundaries, even among parties and leaders who cooperate on other issues.
The controversy has highlighted the strains that personal remarks and foreign-policy differences can place on political alliances. It also echoes recent developments in Spanish politics, where public distancing from former allies has become more common. María Jesús Montero, for example, recently expressed regret over trusting Vicente Fernández amid the Leire case, as detailed in this related report.
Giorgia Meloni has led Italy since 2022, while Santiago Abascal heads Vox, a Spanish party that advocates national sovereignty and traditional values. Trump’s remarks became a diplomatic talking point as he traveled to the NATO summit in Ankara, where any public encounter with Meloni would unfold against the backdrop of their dispute. The episode shows how personal friction and conflicting national priorities can test political ties within NATO and among Europe’s right-wing parties.
