Donald Trump has ignited a heated dispute with Italy by asserting that PM Giorgia Meloni pleaded with him for a photo opportunity. In response, Meloni expressed her displeasure, refuting Trump’s claim and criticizing his rapport with adversaries of the West. The incident took place at the G7 summit, where Trump and Meloni engaged in conversation and were captured together on a small sofa. Trump alleged during a brief phone interview with Italian TV channel La7 that Meloni had requested the photo and that he pitied her, adding that she was likely pleased with their interaction.
Meloni, visibly upset by Trump’s assertions, released a video on Instagram to counter his statements, expressing her surprise at his behavior. She questioned why the U.S. president treated allies in such a manner and highlighted a previous incident in April when Trump criticized her stance on the Iran conflict in an interview with an Italian publication. Meloni emphasized in her video that Trump should show equal resolve towards enemies of the West and the U.S., insinuating that he appeared more accommodating towards their leaders. She emphasized that neither she nor Italy resort to begging for recognition.
Following the confrontation, Italy’s deputy PM, Antonio Tajani, decided to cancel a scheduled trip to the U.S., denouncing Trump’s remarks as offensive towards Meloni and Italy as a whole.
Meanwhile, Trump’s efforts to initiate talks with Iran have encountered obstacles soon after the preliminary peace agreement signing. Iranian officials postponed their trip to Switzerland, citing the need for Israeli strikes on Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to cease before negotiations could proceed.
As tensions persisted, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to renew their ceasefire, potentially influencing the resumption of U.S.-Iran talks. In the midst of heightened hostilities in Lebanon and stalled nuclear discussions, Trump criticized Iran’s alleged desperation for the meeting, stating that they were on the verge of defeat. He asserted on social media that Iran would not receive any financial benefits.
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