Trump Claims Meloni 'Begged' for G7 Photo; Italy Denies and Cancels US Visit
US President Donald Trump claimed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" him for a photograph at the recent G7 Summit in France, saying he agreed only out of pity. Meloni strongly denied the claim, calling it "completely made up" and expressing astonishment. She criticized Trump for treating allies harshly while showing leniency to adversaries. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Trump's remarks as offensive and canceled a planned US visit in protest. The incident marks a notable strain in relations between the two leaders, who had appeared to stabilize ties during the summit.