Diplomatic Row: Italy Cancels U.S. Visit After Trump's 'Begged for Photo' Claim

Diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States are experiencing significant turbulence following remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had "begged" him for a joint photograph. In response, Rome has firmly reacted by canceling an official visit to Washington, escalating a controversy that is shaking the transatlantic alliance.

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begged

The incident began with a phone interview granted by Trump to the Italian television channel La7. According to the transcript published by the media outlet, Trump asserted that the Italian prime minister had "begged" him to take a photo together during the recent G7 summit in France. These comments immediately sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Rome.

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grave and offensive

Italy's government did not delay in reacting to what it perceived as a public humiliation. On Friday, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on social media platform X the cancellation of his trip to the United States, initially scheduled for June 21-22. Tajani described Trump's remarks as "grave and offensive" towards the head of government. Diplomatic sources close to the matter highlighted that this abrupt cancellation marks an unprecedented rupture in bilateral relations, which have traditionally been very cordial and strategic for NATO.

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totally invented

Piqued, Giorgia Meloni responded directly via a video posted on her digital platforms. The Italian leader expressed her "dismay" at statements she deemed "totally invented." "I and Italy never beg," she stated. "I don't understand why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his own allies – it's not the first time, by the way," she criticized, her expression grave. She added a thinly veiled critique, echoed by many political analysts, regarding the inconsistencies of the current U.S. administration's foreign policy: "I can only deplore that he does not show the same determination towards the enemies of the West, towards the enemies of the United States, towards leaders with whom he is instead much more accommodating."

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I and Italy never beg.