Italy's Political Class 'Outraged' with Trump: What Did the President Do?
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
ROME – The Italian political class unanimously criticized U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday after he claimed in a television interview that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni begged him for a photo together at the recent G7 summit, which she called a 'fabrication.' The Italian channel 'La 7' aired a transcript of a phone interview with Trump, where he stated: 'I'm sure she's happy I spoke with her! I didn't have to do it! I don't know what to say! She begged me to take a photo with her! She really wanted a photo with me. I wouldn't have accepted, but I felt sorry for her!' Meloni quickly responded, emphasizing in a social media message, 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg. Donald Trump's statements are completely made up. Honestly, I'm astonished.' She added, 'I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his allies. Moreover, this is not the first time it has happened.' This incident adds to the tensions between Trump and Meloni that began last April when Trump harshly criticized Pope Leo XIV for his stance on the Iran war. The first reaction to this new friction came from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who decided to cancel his planned visit to Miami on June 21 and 22 following Trump's 'serious and offensive words towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,' which 'offend all of Italy.' Government Undersecretary Giovanbattista Fazzolari stated that 'Trump's tirades against Giorgia Meloni are just the latest episode of attacks and insults directed at European leaders' and added that 'it is unclear whether he does this intentionally or out of incompetence, ruining the historic relationship between the United States and Europe.' Meanwhile, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on social media: 'I cannot imagine Giorgia Meloni asking anyone for a photo, not even under threat. However, I can imagine the high price she paid by setting aside what Trump had said weeks ago to serve the interests of Italy, Europe, and the West.'
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
