Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly denied U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that she begged him for a photograph at the G7 summit in Evian, France, earlier this week. In a social media post, Meloni called the claims 'completely made up' and expressed astonishment at Trump's remarks.
Trump's Alleged Comments
During an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, Trump reportedly said: 'She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.' The comments quickly sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations.
Meloni's Response
Meloni took to social media to rebut the allegations, posting a video clip and stating: 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg' anyone for anything. She expressed disappointment that Trump '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.'
Diplomatic Fallout
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also responded by canceling a planned trip to the United States scheduled for June 21-22. In a post on X, Tajani said: 'The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States.'
The incident has added to existing tensions between Italy and the U.S., with Meloni questioning Trump's behavior towards allies. The G7 summit, held in Evian, was intended to foster unity among Western leaders, but this controversy has overshadowed discussions.
