Key facts
- Donald Trump stated that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" for a photo with him at the G7 summit.
- Giorgia Meloni denied Trump's claims, calling them "completely made up" and expressing astonishment.
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned visit to the U.S. in response to Trump's comments.
- Tajani described Trump's remarks as "serious and offensive" and an insult to Italy.
President Donald Trump has claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" for a photograph with him during the recent G7 summit, a statement Meloni has forcefully rejected as "completely made up."
Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 that Meloni "wanted a picture with me so badly" and that he only agreed because he "felt sorry for her." He also claimed she was "happy that we talked, I didn't have to."