Trump Remarks About Italian PM Spark Diplomatic Row; Italy’s Foreign Minister Cancels U.S. Visit

Fresh diplomatic tensions have emerged between Italy and the United States following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The controversy has prompted Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to cancel a scheduled visit to the United States, while Meloni has dismissed Trump’s claims as entirely fabricated.

In a media interview, Trump claimed that Meloni had asked him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit and was “desperate” to be seen with him.

“She asked for a picture with me. She was so desperate for a picture with me,” Trump said. “I probably wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”

Meloni strongly rejected the remarks, describing them as completely false. In a post on X, the Italian Prime Minister said Trump’s account of the incident was “entirely fabricated.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also condemned the comments, calling them “offensive.” In response to the controversy, he canceled a planned trip to the United States.

Tajani had been scheduled to attend the Italy–United States Business, Investment, Science and Innovation Forum in Miami next week. According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, discussions during the visit were expected to focus on economic security and cooperation on critical minerals.

The latest dispute is not the first public disagreement between Trump and Meloni. Earlier this year, Meloni criticized Trump’s remarks targeting Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s opposition to military action against Iran, describing the criticism as “unacceptable.” Trump subsequently broadened his criticism to include both Meloni and Italy.

Despite the recent tensions, Meloni has generally been regarded as one of Trump’s closest allies among Western European leaders. However, relations have reportedly become strained over Italy’s refusal to participate in military action against Iran.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, Meloni has attracted significant attention from the U.S. president and his advisers. She was also the only European leader to attend Trump’s second inauguration ceremony.

The two leaders have often found common ground on issues such as stricter immigration policies and national sovereignty. In the past, Trump frequently praised Meloni personally, in contrast to his often critical stance toward many other European leaders.

The latest exchange, however, highlights growing strains in what has been considered one of the strongest political relationships between Washington and a major Western European government.