In this handout picture released by the Palazzo Chigi Press Office on June 17, U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 17. Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said he was cancelling a visit to the United States over reported comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that appeared to mock Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. AFP-Yonhap
ROME — The Italian government closed ranks on Friday to slam U.S. President Donald Trump over his claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, a pushback that suggested the longtime U.S. ally had had enough of Trump’s boasting.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly cancelled a planned trip to the United States this weekend, calling Trump’s claims “serious and offensive” toward Meloni and all of Italy.
Meloni for her part posted a video calling Trump’s claims “completely fabricated." She concluded: “Italy and I do not beg.”
Trump had made the comments in an interview broadcast Friday morning on the La7 network. The La7 correspondent had asked Trump about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni and the conversation turned to their meeting, caught on video, during the just-concluded G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France. Meloni and Trump were filmed speaking at several points, including alone on a small sofa.
