The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia MeloniShe begged for a photo with her during the G7 summit and said she felt sorry for her. The statement was made in a phone call to the program. “L'Aria che tira”, from the Italian broadcaster La7, this Friday (19).
The prime minister reacted a few hours later, in a video on social media, and called the statements fabricated. The foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, cancelled a trip to the United States scheduled for June 21st and 22nd.
Reached by phone by the broadcaster, Trump turned the conversation over to the Italian Prime Minister. "She begged me to take a picture with her, I felt sorry for her," Trump said.
The president then repeated his version of events. "She really wanted a picture with me. I could have chosen not to take it, but I felt sorry for her," he stated.
Meloni's response
Meloni recorded the video after leaving a meeting about the budget. European Union"Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated, I am frankly perplexed," she said in Brussels.
The prime minister stated that she did not understand why the American president acted this way with allies and demanded the same firmness towards Western adversaries. "But one thing he needs to remember: Italy and I never begged," she concluded.
Trip cancelled
Tajani justified the cancellation of the visit by citing "President Trump's serious and offensive words regarding the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni," which, according to him, "offend all of Italy."
This episode contrasts with the version presented by Meloni after the G7. At the time, the Prime Minister had said that the relationship with Washington remained unchanged and that there had been no recriminations between the two leaders.
Source: La Repubblica.
