Meloni Schools Trump Over 'She Begged for Photo' Remark; Diplomatic Spat Sparked

Meloni rejects Trump's claim she begged for a photo, while Italy's top leaders condemn his remarks publicly.

By Pranjal Gupta

New Delhi, June 19: US President Donald J. Trump received a harsh reply from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over remarks in which he claimed she had begged him for a picture with him. Meloni is Trump's only ally in the European Union (EU) who even attended his inauguration party. But the G7 photo op has now snowballed into a diplomatic spat with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling his planned visit to America in protest against the "serious" remarks against Meloni.

In a self-recorded video, Meloni called out Trump, saying, "Italy and I don't beg." She said: "Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned. I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn't the first time this has happened."

According to La7, Trump said Meloni had "begged" him for a photo-op. He said he wasn't obliged to do it but felt sorry for her and agreed, La7 reported. The broadcaster has a dubbed version of the conversation online, not the original English audio, reported news agency AP.

"I can only say that it's a shame he doesn't show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States — toward leaders with whom he, on the other hand, is much more accommodating," Meloni said Friday.

Meloni had initially tried to position herself as a bridge between Washington and the EU. She also backed Trump's stance on supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia. But relations strained over the US war in Iran, which Meloni has said was illegal.

In an earlier interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera in April, Trump had condemned Meloni for refusing to back the US-Israel war in Iran. At the time, Meloni chose not to respond.

Italy Responds

But it now appears she and Italy had had enough.

Reacting to Trump's remarks, Tajani said, "The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June".

In addition to Meloni and Tajani, Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also rebuked Trump's claims, saying he didn't believe Meloni would ever beg someone for a photo, "not even under threat."

"I can, however, imagine how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, of Europe, and of the West," Crosetto posted on X. "Jokes of this kind do no good to anyone: neither to the USA, nor to Italy, nor to the alliance."