Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - Europe live

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on June 19, 2026, that she was astonished by claims made by former US President Donald Trump suggesting she had "begged" him for a photograph. Meloni's office issued a statement calling Trump's assertions "untrue" and "baseless." Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani subsequently canceled a planned trip to the United States in response to the "made up" remarks. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also publicly reacted to the situation, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that he "can't imagine @GiorgiaMeloni asking anyone for a photo, not even under threat." The Italian government's response indicates a strong disagreement with Trump's narrative and a potential strain on diplomatic relations.