President Donald Trump has openly criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, escalating a dispute over a photograph into a diplomatic issue.
Italy’s foreign minister canceled a planned U.S. visit on Friday. This was in response to Trump’s comments about Meloni. He claimed she “begged” him for a photo during the G7 summit.
Meloni firmly rejected this allegation, labeling it “completely unfounded” and stating, “Neither I, nor Italy, ever beg.”
On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.”
Trump accused Meloni of struggling with her popularity in Italy. He linked this to Italy’s decision not to participate in the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience,”
Trump’s post continued, “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!”
This event is unfolding; more updates will follow.
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