Meloni accuses Trump of lies, Italy cancels U.S. trip

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has directly accused U.S. President Donald Trump of fabricating claims that she pleaded for a photograph with him during the G7 summit in France. Meloni stated emphatically, "Donald Trump's claims are completely fabricated."

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The claims of Donald Trump are completely fabricated.

The dispute erupted after Trump told the Italian television channel La7 that Meloni had "begged" him for a photo, adding, "I would have done nothing, but she felt sorry for me." The broadcast featured an Italian-dubbed version of the interview, not the original English audio.

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She begged me for a photo. She desperately wanted a picture with me. I would have done nothing, but she felt sorry for me.

Meloni expressed bewilderment at Trump's behavior, questioning his conduct towards allies. "I don't know why the President of the United States behaves like this towards his own allies, it's not the first time something like this has happened," she remarked, asserting, "One thing he should know: neither I nor Italy ever act as beggars."

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I don't know why the President of the United States behaves like this towards his own allies, it's not the first time something like this has happened. One thing he should know: neither I nor Italy ever act as beggars.

This public spat has led to diplomatic repercussions. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the cancellation of his planned trip to the U.S. on June 21-22, citing Trump's "serious and insulting comments" which he stated had "insulted all of Italy." A state secretary in the Prime Minister's office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, issued a sharp statement, questioning whether Trump's "inappropriate outbursts" were intentional or due to incompetence, but concluding they have damaged the U.S.'s image across Europe and harmed both the continent and the United States itself.

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The trip will not take place due to Trump's serious and insulting comments. He has insulted all of Italy.