Meloni Denies Trump's G7 Photo Claim as Italy Cancels 1 US Trip
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 19
Meloni Denies Trump's G7 Photo Claim as Italy Cancels 1 US Trip
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 19
Summary
Antonio Tajani canceled a planned US trip after Donald Trump told Italian TV that Giorgia Meloni had "begged" him for a photo at the G7, prompting Meloni to call the story entirely made up.
7 million Instagram followers heard Meloni say she was "frankly stunned" and insist that neither she nor Italy ever beg, while questioning why Trump treated allies this way.
Sergio Mattarella phoned Meloni with support, and politicians across Italy's spectrum rallied behind her, calling Trump's remarks humiliating and arrogant toward an Italian prime minister.
The clash deepens a rupture in ties that had once made Meloni a potential bridge to Trump, but have frayed over her opposition to the US war with Iran and earlier public insults.