Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected remarks by US President Donald Trump, accusing him of fabricating a story that she had “begged” him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit.Meloni described Trump’s comments as “completely made up” and expressing disappointment.Dismissing the claims outright, Meloni added: “There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg.”Controversial interview sparks diplomatic tensionThe dispute erupted after Trump, speaking to Italian television channel La7, claimed that Meloni had been eager to be photographed with him during the G7 gathering in France.He also reportedly remarked that Meloni was “probably happy” that he spoke with her at the summit.From close allies to public disagreementThe exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who were once seen as close political allies.Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025 and had long been viewed as one of his strongest supporters in Europe.Meloni also recently publicly criticised Trump after he attacked Pope Leo over the pontiff’s condemnation of the Iran conflict. Trump subsequently accused the Italian leader of lacking courage.Italian Foreign Minister cancels visitItalian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday announced the cancellation of his planned visit to Miami for a business forum, after the controversy over US President Donald Trump’s comments on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.“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,” Tajani wrote on X.
