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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Trump claims Meloni begged for photo; Italy cancels U.S. visit

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Donald Trump claimed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni begged him for a photo at the G7 summit.
  • Meloni stated she is bewildered by the claim, asserting neither she nor Italy would beg.
  • The Italian Foreign Minister has canceled a visit to Washington D.C. due to the dispute.

A diplomatic spat has erupted between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following Trump's assertion that Meloni "begged" him for a photograph during the G7 summit in France. Trump recounted the alleged encounter, stating he "felt sorry for her."

Meloni responded with surprise and firm denial, stating, "Neither I nor Italy would ever beg." Her office released a statement expressing bewilderment at Trump's remarks. The Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has announced the cancellation of his planned visit to Washington D.C. in protest against Trump's comments, signaling a significant diplomatic fallout.

I felt sorry for her.

— Donald TrumpTrump's account of his interaction with Meloni at the G7 summit.

The incident has cast a shadow over the typically cordial relations between Italian and U.S. leadership, highlighting a sharp disagreement over the nature of their interaction at the international summit. The dispute underscores the sensitive nature of political interactions and public statements made by prominent world leaders.

Neither I nor Italy would ever beg.

— Giorgia MeloniMeloni's direct refutation of Trump's claim.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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