President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, escalating a conflict over a contentious photograph into a diplomatic issue.
On Friday, Italy’s Foreign Minister canceled a planned visit to the United States in response to Trump’s remarks about Meloni. Trump claimed she had ‘begged’ him for a photograph during the G7 summit. Meloni firmly rebutted this claim, stating it was ‘completely unfounded’ and remarked, “Neither I, nor Italy, ever beg.”
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated on Truth Social that “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.”
President Trump criticized Meloni, claiming she is unpopular in Italy and linked this to Italy’s lack of involvement in the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran. He added, “She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience.”
Trump further remarked, “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!”
This is a developing story; more to follow.