Italy’s top diplomat nixes US trip after Meloni says Trump fabricated story

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to the United States this week following a dispute with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Tajani's visit was scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024. The cancellation stems from comments made by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who stated on May 18, 2024, that Trump fabricated a story about her "begging" him for a photograph during the G7 summit in France. Meloni made these remarks during a campaign rally in Milan. She asserted that the alleged interaction did not happen and that Trump invented the narrative. Tajani was expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other high-ranking officials during his U.S. visit. The Italian foreign ministry confirmed the cancellation on May 20, 2024, citing the need to address the situation with Trump's claims.