Italy has voiced anger over the comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had begged him for a picture at the G7 summit. In a show of protest, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called off a scheduled trip to the United States this weekend.
Italy scraps diplomatic trip amid Donald Trump G7 photo controversy
On June 16, during the G7 leaders’ summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Trump and Meloni were seen speaking closely. According to the BBC, the Italian leader later told reporters she found the relationship with Trump unchanged, and there had been “no recriminations”.
However, tensions emerged after Trump later made comments about their interaction during a June 18 interview with La7 TV. Trump said Meloni was “probably happy I spoke to her,” adding, “She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” reports ABC.
Following this, Meloni criticized Trump and responded in a video posted on X, “Donald Trump’s declarations are totally invented.” She added, “Frankly, I am stunned. I don’t know why the US president behaves this way towards his allies. It’s not the first time it’s happened; I can only say it’s unfortunate he doesn’t show the same determination towards the West’s enemies.”
In the same video, she made both her stance and Italy’s position clear, stating, “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
Signaling Italy’s displeasure, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned U.S. trip that was set to include a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He wrote, “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 scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June.” The engagement was planned alongside the Italy-US Business, Investment, Science and Innovation Forum in Miami, reports the Express US.
Former prime minister and Italian senator Matteo Renzi tagged the comments as “horrifying.” He wrote, “Trump’s statements are horrifying, as always. Finally, President Meloni has noticed too: good morning, Giorgia, nice of you to wake up. Dear President, have you finally realized that allying with those people means being against Italy? Enough with the MAGA hats and enough bridges to Trump: Italy deserves a leadership class that commands respect in the world.” Transport minister Matteo Salvini also posted a picture with Meloni on X, saying, Whoever attacks @GiorgiaMeloni attacks all of us.”
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