The topic Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him… is drawing steady attention: readers, analysts, and industry watchers are all tracking how the story may unfold in the days ahead.
This is taking place in a fast-moving context — product cycles, platform shifts, and competitive moves can reshape the outlook quickly, so the details below are worth a careful read.
What follows is a clear walkthrough of the main facts and angles you need to make sense of the news.
Meanwhile, a new transatlantic drama is emerging in Italy, after US president Donald Trump told an Italian broadcaster that prime minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a picture on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this week.
“She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
Extraordinarily, Meloni immediately took to social media to respond, posting a short video clip and saying “neither I nor Italy ever beg” anyone for anything.
The Italian PM said she was “astonished” by “completely made up” claims by Trump.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time. I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence.”
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani also cancelled his planned trip to the US in response.
“The serious and offensive words of president Trump towards prime minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June,” he said on X.