Overview
- President Donald Trump was quoted by Italy's La7 as saying Giorgia Meloni had "begged" him for a photo at this week's G7 summit, a translation the broadcaster released in dubbed form without the original audio.
- Meloni replied in a video statement that the account was "completely made up" and said "neither I nor Italy ever beg," framing the remarks as an unacceptable attack on national dignity.
- Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned visit to the United States in protest, calling Trump's words "serious and offensive" and saying they insulted all of Italy.
- Senior Italian officials including Defense Minister Guido Crosetto publicly rebuked Trump, and the episode has abruptly reversed signs of a recent thaw between the two leaders.
- The dispute builds on earlier tensions over the Iran war, Trump’s criticism of the pope, and reported U.S. requests to use a Sicilian base, and it could complicate cooperation on NATO and bilateral security ties.