Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a sharp public rebuke after Donald Trump said she had begged to take a photo with him. Meloni called his remarks “a total fabrication” and said she was “shocked” by his behavior toward allies, adding that this was not the first time he had acted this way.
She said it was regrettable that Trump did not show the same resolve toward “the enemies of the West” and “the enemies of the United States,” while being more forgiving and considerate toward others. Meloni concluded, “Italy and I never beg.”
Trump had said of Meloni, “She begged me to take a picture with her! She really wanted a picture with me. I didn’t even have to do it, but I felt sorry for her! She was probably happy that I even spoke to her! I was not obligated to talk to her.”
In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was canceling a planned visit to the United States next week, saying Trump’s comments were insulting to Italy as a whole.