Meloni Rejects Trump’s ‘Begged for Photo’ Claim
Italian PM calls remarks fabricated as diplomatic row strains US-Italy ties
- Trump claims Meloni begged him for a G7 photo.
- Italian PM dismisses remarks as completely made up.
- Italy cancels foreign minister’s planned US visit.
- Italian leaders warn comments could damage transatlantic ties.
GG News Bureau
Rome, 19th June: A diplomatic dispute erupted between Italy and the United States after US President Donald Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had “begged” him for a photograph during the G7 Summit, a charge that Meloni strongly denied as “completely made up.”
Speaking to Italy’s La7 television channel, Trump said Meloni wanted a photograph with him “so badly” and claimed he agreed to it only because he “felt sorry for her.”
Responding on social media platform X, Meloni expressed shock over Trump’s remarks and said the US President had once again insulted his own allies.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled,” she said, adding that Italy would never beg anyone and criticising Trump for not showing similar toughness towards the adversaries of the West.
The controversy prompted Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to cancel his scheduled visit to the United States on June 21-22, stating that Trump’s offensive remarks had insulted not just Meloni but the entire nation.
Other senior Italian leaders also criticised Trump. Undersecretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Giovanbattista Fazzolari said the US President’s remarks risked damaging historic ties between Europe and America, while Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he could never imagine Meloni begging anyone for a photograph.
The latest exchange has further strained relations between Trump and Meloni, who had initially sought to maintain strong US-Italy ties during Trump’s second term but has increasingly criticised his comments on key international issues, including his remarks against Pope Leo and disagreements over the Iran conflict.
