Italian diplomat cancels U.S. trip amid argument over Trump photo

June 19 (UPI) -- Italy's foreign minister canceled his trip to the United States on Friday after President Donald Trump claimed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit.

Antonio Tajani, who was slated to travel to the United States this weekend, called Trump's claim "serious and offensive. Meloni also rejected the claim, saying it is "completely fabricated."

"But there is one thing he needs to remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg," Meloni said in a post on Instagram. "Donald Trump's statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned. I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn't the first time this has happened."

Meloni spoke with Trump earlier this week at the G7 meeting in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France. La7, an Italian television station, aired Trump's comments, dubbed in Italian.

"She begged me to take a photo with her," Trump said. "I felt sorry for her. She's probably happy I spoke to her."

Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump's inauguration last year.

Trump was critical of Meloni earlier this year for vocally opposing the war with Iran, calling it illegal, as well as his approach to Ukraine's war efforts against invading Russia.

"I can only say that it's a shame he doesn't show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States -- toward leaders with whom he, on the other hand, is much more accommodating," Meloni said.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM.