Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump for his assertion that she pleaded with him to take a photo together during the recent G7 summit.
Meloni expressed her disbelief at Trump’s claims, labeling them as completely fabricated and asserting, “Neither I nor Italy engage in begging.”
In an interview with Italian TV channel La7, Trump stated, “She begged me to take a picture with her. She was so eager for a photo with me. I might not have agreed, but I felt pity for her.”
He further remarked, “She’s probably pleased that I conversed with her. I wasn’t obligated to interact with her.” These statements followed his own inquiry to a journalist about Italy’s prime minister. Notably, the broadcaster released a dubbed version of the conversation online, not the original English audio.
Video footage from the summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, depicted Meloni and Trump engaged in a deep discussion while seated next to each other on a small sofa.
Meloni promptly responded to the president’s remarks in a video shared on social media, denouncing Trump’s unfounded claims. She emphasized her astonishment at his behavior and criticized his inconsistent treatment of allies versus adversaries.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a scheduled trip to the United States over the weekend, deeming Trump’s statements toward Meloni and Italy as offensive and serious. The Foreign Ministry later announced the cancellation of the business and scientific forum Tajani was set to attend in Miami.
The relationship between Trump and Meloni, previously viewed as close allies in Europe, has strained due to disagreements over the Iran conflict, which Meloni has condemned as unlawful. Trump’s trade tariffs and staunch support for Israel during the Gaza conflict have also fueled tensions.
In an earlier interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Trump criticized Meloni’s opposition to the US-Israeli military action in Iran, to which Meloni did not publicly retaliate.
Meloni defended Pope Leo XIV when Trump criticized the pontiff, showcasing a shift in their once amicable relationship.
Political scientist Lorenzo Castellani from Rome’s Luiss Guido Carli University remarked to The Associated Press that Trump’s recent actions may have inadvertently benefitted Meloni, who had been previously labeled as a follower of Trump in Europe.
This is a developing news story. Stay updated on breaking news by following our reports through the provided links or joining our various social media platforms.
