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Trump attacks Meloni, calling her a 'beggar'; Italy responds forcefully

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Donald Trump made unprecedentedly harsh remarks about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling her a "beggar" seeking a photo opportunity.
  • Meloni responded forcefully, calling Trump's statements "totally invented" and asserting that "Italy and I never beg."
  • The incident led to the cancellation of Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's trip to the U.S. and drew solidarity for Meloni from across the Italian political spectrum.

A phone call lasting only a few minutes has seemingly erased the brief thaw in relations between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni, which was celebrated perhaps too hastily at the G7 summit. Trump delivered a few, extremely harsh words during an interview, which landed in the middle of the European Council meeting in Brussels where the Italian prime minister was present.

Giorgia Meloni begged for a photo, she pitied me.

— Donald TrumpLaunching an unprecedented verbal attack against the Italian prime minister.

"Giorgia Meloni begged for a photo, she pitied me," Trump declared, launching an unprecedented verbal attack. These words could mark a turning point in Rome-Washington relations, potentially escalating the conflict from personal to diplomatic.

Meloni's response was immediate, vehement, and equally harsh. "Her statements are totally invented, I am frankly appalled," she stated, adding, "but remember: Italy and I never beg." The prime minister shared this message in a short social media video filmed in Brussels.

Her statements are totally invented, I am frankly appalled, but remember: Italy and I never beg.

— Giorgia MeloniResponding forcefully to Donald Trump's accusations.

The incident sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani went a step further, canceling his planned mission to the U.S. for June 21-22, where he was scheduled to attend a business forum in Miami. "President Trump's grave words towards the prime minister offend all of Italy," Tajani posted on X.

President Trump's grave words towards the prime minister offend all of Italy.

— Antonio TajaniItalian Foreign Minister explaining his decision to cancel a U.S. trip.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto echoed this sentiment, saying, "Trump's words are worse than a fall from grace." President Sergio Mattarella called Meloni to express his solidarity, and the entire center-right, along with the opposition parties with varying nuances, quickly rallied behind her. Trump later intensified his attack, telling NBC, "Meloni was a great supporter. But I don't want her as a fan, because she wasn't there, neither she nor NATO, when it came to the Strait issue."

Trump's words are worse than a fall from grace.

— Guido CrosettoItalian Defense Minister commenting on Trump's remarks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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