Italian Foreign Minister Cancels US Trip Over Trump Allegations

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has denied making a request for a photograph with US President Donald Trump during their meeting at the G7 summit in France. According to reports, Trump stated that Meloni “begged” him for a photo, but she has disputed this claim. In response, Meloni posted a video saying that Trump’s statements are “completely fabricated” and expressing her surprise at his behavior towards allies.

Meloni had previously met with Trump on several occasions, including after his 2024 election victory and attending his inauguration in January 2025. However, the two have reportedly diverged over various issues during Trump’s second term, including support for Ukraine and the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a scheduled visit to the US, citing Trump’s reported statements as “serious and offensive”. Other government officials have also weighed in, with Justice Minister Carlo Nordio suggesting that Trump’s remarks besmirched the legacy of US soldiers who died during World War II. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated that he did not believe Meloni would ever beg for a photo, even under threat.

The White House has yet to respond to Meloni’s comments. The diplomatic row between the two countries continues to escalate, with Italy’s top diplomat cancelling an upcoming visit to the US.

Source: Al Jazeera