Meloni cancels diplomat's US visit after Trump mocks photo claim

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a video on social media Friday rejecting what she called a 'completely made up' claim by US President Donald Trump that she had 'begged' him for a photograph during the G7 summit in France earlier this week. Trump had told Italy's La7 television that Meloni 'wanted a picture with me so badly' and that he 'felt sorry for her' and agreed to it. Meloni said she was 'frankly stunned' by the remarks and that 'neither I nor Italy ever beg.'

The row escalated when Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a planned visit to the United States scheduled for July, according to France 24 and Al Jazeera. Italy's foreign ministry said the cancellation was in response to what it characterised as mocking and disrespectful comments. The BBC noted that the highly public exchange signals that Meloni and Trump's earlier close ties have frayed since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran—a move that has complicated Italy's position within the Atlantic alliance and the European Union.