The president of the USA., donald trumpthis Friday intensified his criticism against the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloniafter the leader denounced as an “invention” the president’s claim that she had begged him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit held in France.
When asked by NBC about the controversy, Trump did not address the issue of the photograph and said that Meloni “was a big fan.”
“But I don’t want her as an admirer because she was not there, along with the NATO group, regarding the Strait,” he added, in apparent reference to his demands that European allies become more involved in Washington’s efforts to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Meloni today declared herself “stunned” by Trump’s claims about an alleged meeting during the Group of Seven summit (G7) in the French country.
“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. Honestly, I’m stunned,” Meloni wrote on her social media.
“Neither I nor Italy ever beg,” added the prime minister.
Meloni’s reaction responded to a telephone interview given by Trump to the Italian channel La 7, the transcript of which was broadcast by the medium.
According to that version, the American president assured that the Italian leader had insistently asked him for a photograph during the leaders’ meeting in France.
“At the G7 summit, he begged me to take a photo. I felt sorry for him,” Trump said, according to the transcript published by La 7.
The president added: “I’m sure she’s happy that I talked to her! I didn’t have to! I don’t know what to say. She begged me to take a photo with me! She really wanted a photo with me. I wouldn’t have accepted it, but I felt sorry for her!”
In a video released later, Meloni questioned Trump’s behavior toward his allies.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this with his allies. Furthermore, it is not the first time it has happened,” he said.
“I can only say that I regret that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaders with whom he is much more accommodating,” he added.
After the controversy, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, announced the cancellation of the visit he had planned to the United States next Sunday and Monday.
“President Trump’s serious and offensive words towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy,” Tajani wrote on social media.
During the G7 summit, Meloni had downplayed the differences with Trump and assured that the relationship between the two had not changed, attributing their disagreements to the “strong character” of both leaders in defending their respective national interests.
