G7 Summit: Meloni called Trump’s claim a lie, controversy started due to Trump’s statement

The dispute that started between US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni now seems to be turning into diplomatic tension. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has canceled his proposed US tour after Trump’s controversial remarks about Meloni. After this, a new sourness has arisen in the relations between the two countries, whereas till now both the leaders were considered close allies.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Friday that he would no longer attend the Italy-US Business, Invest and Science Forum in Miami. Along with this, he also canceled the scheduled meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The serious and insulting words used by President Trump against Prime Minister Georgia Meloni are an insult to all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States, planned for June 21 and 22,” Tajani wrote on the social media platform X.

The controversy began when Donald Trump claimed in an interview with Italian TV channel La7 that Georgia Meloni was eager to get photographed with him during the recent G-7 summit in France. “She asked me to take a photo. She wanted a photo with me. I didn’t want to take a photo, but I felt sorry for her,” Trump said.

After Trump’s statement, Georgia Meloni released a video on Twitter calling these claims completely false. Maloney said, “Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am truly shocked. I do not understand why the President of the United States would behave like this with his own allies, and this is not the first time.”

He further said, “It is a matter of shame that he does not show as much strictness against the enemies of the West and adversaries of America as he shows against his allies.” Meloni said, “But remember one thing, Chris and I never beg.” After this controversy, many senior leaders of Italy gave open statements in support of Prime Minister Meloni.

The controversy did not stop here. Later in an interview with NBC News, Trump once again took aim at Maloney and linked it to European support during the Iran conflict. Trump said, “I do not consider her a supporter because she was not present with the NATO group when the issue related to the Strait of Hormuz was in front.”

This controversy is being considered as another major setback in the relationship between Trump and Meloni. Earlier both the leaders were considered close allies of each other in Western Europe. Meloni was the only major European leader to attend Trump’s second swearing-in ceremony.

However, in recent months, differences between the two leaders regarding the Iran war have increased. Earlier this year, Meloni called Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV, who opposed the Iran war, unacceptable. After this, Trump also accused Italy of not supporting America enough during the Iran conflict.