Italy's Meloni denies Trump's photo claim, foreign minister cancels US visit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that she had requested a photograph with him during the Group of Seven summit. In a social media video posted Friday, Meloni stated that Trump's account was fabricated, declaring that neither she nor Italy would resort to begging for such a photo. Trump had asserted during an interview that Meloni had asked him to take a picture together at the G7 meeting. Meloni characterized his statements as "entirely fictitious" and expressed surprise at the remarks. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani amplified the government's response by canceling a planned visit to the United States in protest, signaling official displeasure with Trump's comments. Tajani described Trump's remarks as "serious and offensive" toward Italy as a nation. The diplomatic rebuke marked a notable shift in the relationship between the longtime NATO allies, with sources noting that Meloni had previously been counted among Trump's closest European supporters. The incident underscored tensions that have emerged between the two leaders in recent interactions.
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