Diplomatic tension between Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump following televised remarks

During a phone interview with the Italian television channel La7, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had begged him to take a photo with her during the G7 summit. Trump stated he agreed to the photo only out of pity, despite initially not wanting to speak with her. Prime Minister Meloni categorically denied these claims, describing them as a pure fabrication and expressing astonishment at the U.S. President's conduct toward a long-standing ally. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded to the controversy by canceling his planned visit to the United States scheduled for June 21 and 22, citing the comments as serious and offensive. The Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, reached out to Meloni to express his solidarity. This incident follows recent geopolitical frictions between the two nations, including disputes over the war in Iran and conflicting views on the Pope. Italian government officials emphasized that Italy does not plead with anyone and that such rhetoric harms the alliance.