‘Italy Never Begs’: Meloni Slams Trump Over G7 Remarks

Trump Claims Meloni Begged for Photo

An Italian media outlet quoted Trump telling that Meloni "begged" for a picture. He also said that he felt sorry for her.

"She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her. She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said.

The public spat represents a significant turn for the two leaders who had appeared to set aside recent tensions following last week's G7 summit in France.

Italian PM says Italy Never Begs

Meloni - who leads a nationalist party with a strong appeal among religious Catholics - expressed dismay at Trump's rhetoric. 

“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.

Foreign Minister Cancels US Visit

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, scheduled to visit the US for business and meetings this weekend, called Trump's alleged remarks offensive and canceled the trip. 

"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 said.

West Asia War Widens Political Divide

The public dust-up underscores recent cracks in Meloni and Trump's relationship, which have opened up since the escalation of the war in West Asia. After Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, called for a truce, Trump lambasted the Vatican and, in a jab aimed at European countries that have refused to engage in the fighting, said that leaders expected the US to take care of everything. The Italian prime minister publicly slammed Trump's criticism of the Pope, saying it was unacceptable.