"Donald Trump's serious and offensive words against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy," wrote Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X, announcing that the visit was canceled.
Meloni said she was stunned by Trump's remarks to Italian broadcaster La7. According to a transcript, Trump said Meloni "wanted a picture so badly" with him at this week's G7 summit and that he agreed because he "felt sorry for her."
According to Meloni, that is not true.
"Neither I nor Italy ever beg," she says in a video clip on X.
The previously good relationship between Trump and Meloni soured after she defended Pope Leo XIV against Trump's criticism in April.
