Italian Prime minister Giorgia Meloni dismissed Trumps comments of ‘begged for a photo’ saying it made her astonished by the comments that surfaced online. Taking to X, the right wing Italian premier revealed that this not the first time the US president has insulted his own allies.
Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened,” she said.
“I can only say it’s a shame that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating. However, one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg,” she added.
In view of the comments, Italy’s foreign minister has called off his upcoming visit to the US citing Trumps offensive words as the reason. ” The grave and offensive words of President Trump… offend the whole of Italy,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had been due to visit the US on June 21 and 22, said on X.
Besides other ministers from Italy also slammed the comment. The undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, said in a statement that “it is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude (Trump) is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe.”
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also rebuked Trump’s claims, saying he didn’t believe Meloni would ever beg someone for a photo, “not even under threat.”
The president of US in an interview with an Italian media outlet claimed that Meloni had ‘begged’ him for a photo at the G7 summit.
In a brief interview he said that Meloni wanted to take a picture with him “so badly”. He then said that he would not have taken the picture but he felt “sorry for her”.