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IndiaPolitics2 days ago

'Neither I nor Italy ever beg': Meloni hits back at Trump after his photo remark

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that she had begged to be photographed with him during the G7 summit, calling the statement 'completely made up.' Meloni emphasized that neither she nor Italy ever begs. The controversy has raised tensions between the two leaders, who previously had a close relationship. Meloni attended Trump's 2025 inauguration and was considered one of his strongest supporters in Europe. She recently criticized Trump for attacking Pope Leo over the Iran conflict. In response, Trump accused Meloni of lacking courage. Italian Vice

Trump Meloni (AP image)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected remarks by US President Donald Trump , accusing him of fabricating a story that she had "begged" him to take a photograph with her during the recent G7 summit . Meloni described Trump's comments as "completely made up" and expressing disappointment. Dismissing the claims outright, Meloni added: "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg."

Controversial interview sparks diplomatic tension The dispute erupted after Trump, speaking to Italian television channel La7, claimed that Meloni had been eager to be photographed with him during the G7 gathering in France. He also reportedly remarked that Meloni was "probably happy" that he spoke with her at the summit. From close allies to public disagreement The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who were once seen as close political allies. Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration in 2025 and had long been viewed as one of his strongest supporters in Europe. Meloni also recently publicly criticised Trump after he attacked Pope Leo over the pontiff's condemnation of the Iran conflict.

Trump subsequently accused the Italian leader of lacking courage. Italian Foreign Minister cancels visit Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday announced the cancellation of his planned visit to Miami for a business forum, after the controversy over US President Donald Trump’s comments on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “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,” Tajani wrote on X.

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Source document: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

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Times of IndiaIndependentCenter2 days ago
'Neither I nor Italy ever beg': Meloni hits back at Trump after his photo remark

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that she had begged to be photographed with him during the G7 summit, calling the statement 'completely made up.' Meloni emphasized that neither she nor Italy ever begs. The controversy has raised tensions between the two leaders, who previously had a close relationship. Meloni attended Trump's 2025 inauguration and was considered one of his strongest supporters in Europe. She recently criticized Trump for attacking Pope Leo over the Iran conflict. In response, Trump accused Meloni of lacking courage. Italian Vice

Bias read (Center): The article presents both Meloni's denial of Trump's claim and Trump's original statement without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties and frames the situation as a diplomatic dispute without editorializing or biased language.

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  • government Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
  • government U.S. President Donald Trump

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  • governmentItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
  • governmentU.S. President Donald Trump