Donald Trump has ignited a heated dispute with Italy by alleging that PM Giorgia Meloni pleaded with him for a photo opportunity.
In a retaliatory video, Meloni expressed her displeasure, refuting Trump’s account and accusing him of cozying up to adversaries of the Western world. Trump, who was engaged in a conversation with Meloni at the G7 summit where they were captured on camera together, claimed that Meloni had requested the photo. He stated in a brief phone interview with Italian TV channel La7, “She begged me to take a photo with her. I took pity on her. She’s probably pleased I acknowledged her.”
An incensed Meloni took to Instagram to respond to Trump’s allegations, stating that she was “genuinely shocked.” She criticized the U.S. president for his behavior towards allies, citing a previous incident in April where Trump criticized her stance on the Iran conflict in an interview with an Italian publication. Meloni emphasized, “It is unfortunate that he does not exhibit the same resolve towards enemies of the West and the U.S., whom he seems more accommodating with. He should remember that neither I nor Italy ever plead.”
The confrontation led Italy’s deputy PM to cancel a scheduled trip to the U.S., with Antonio Tajani denouncing Trump’s remarks as “offensive and grave” towards Meloni and the entire country.
Meanwhile, Trump’s efforts to initiate talks with Iran following a preliminary peace deal have hit a hurdle. Iranian officials did not attend a planned meeting in Switzerland due to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. However, there are indications of progress as Israel and Hezbollah agreed to renew their ceasefire, potentially paving the way for resuming the U.S.-Iran discussions. President Donald Trump, amidst the escalating conflict in Lebanon and the stalled negotiations, continued to express his discontent, asserting, “We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED!”
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