Trump Again Claims Meloni Begged for Photos to Boost Rating
Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Donald Trump reiterated claims that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked him for photos during the G7 summit.
- Trump suggested Meloni sought the photos to boost her declining popularity in Italy.
- Meloni had previously called Trump's claims "completely fabricated," and her government supported her stance by canceling a visit by the foreign minister to Washington.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again asserted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly requested to take photos with him during the G7 summit in France.
Trump suggested that Meloni's alleged requests were a strategic move to enhance her popularity in Italy, which he described as being "low." He made these statements on his social media platform, Truth Social, in response to Meloni's strong denial of his earlier claims. Meloni had previously expressed shock, stating that Trump's reports were "completely fabricated" and that "neither Italy nor I beg." The Italian government backed her position, leading to the cancellation of the foreign minister's visit to Washington.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked to take pictures with me during the G-7 meeting in France. She is doing poorly in Italy with popularity levels, possibly because she rejected the United States, the country that truly loves and protects Italy.
Trump further elaborated on his narrative, claiming Meloni repeatedly sought photos during the G7 meeting. He linked her alleged actions to her perceived struggles with public approval in Italy, suggesting she might be acting this way because she "rejected the United States, the country that truly loves and protects Italy." He also mentioned that NATO had acted similarly. Trump criticized Meloni for not allowing the U.S. to use Italian airports for logistical support, despite significant U.S. contributions to Italy's defense within NATO.
The article notes Meloni's past alignment with Trump, often seen as a close European ally who shared many of his ideological views, including on migration and traditional values. However, differences have emerged, particularly concerning Trump's reduced support for Ukraine and his stance on acquiring Greenland. Trump appeared particularly displeased that Italy, like other NATO members, did not assist the U.S. and Israel at the outset of the conflict with Iran.
I am shocked by these reports. Trump's words are completely fabricated. Neither Italy nor I beg.
Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.