Italy Cancels U.S. Visit After Trump Claims Meloni 'Begged' for Photo

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly canceled his planned visit to the United States this weekend in response to remarks made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" him for a photo opportunity during the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit.

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Completely fabricated. Italy and I have never asked for anything.

Tajani described Trump's assertion as a "serious attack" on both Prime Minister Meloni and Italy itself. The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed Tajani's cancellation of his attendance at a business and science forum in Miami. Prime Minister Meloni firmly refuted Trump's statement, labeling it "completely fabricated" and expressing astonishment that an ally would create such an "absurd fiction."

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The former president's words are a serious attack on the prime minister and on Italy.

Trump made the controversial claim during an interview with LA7 television, where he unexpectedly brought up Meloni while discussing Ukraine. The broadcast aired a dubbed version of the conversation, not the original English audio. The remarks quickly drew widespread support for Meloni from across the Italian government and political spectrum.

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Whoever attacks Giorgia Meloni attacks all of us.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella telephoned Prime Minister Meloni to express his solidarity. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini stated, "Whoever attacks Giorgia Meloni attacks all of us." Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio emphasized that Trump's actions could negatively impact U.S.-Italy relations, referencing the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers during World War II. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto asserted that Meloni would never beg for a photo, even under duress.

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Meloni would never beg for a photo, even if she were threatened.