After Trump's Meloni Remarks, a New Diplomatic Tiff

Italy's foreign minister has just scrapped a US visit over remarks by President Trump. On Friday, Antonio Tajani canceled a planned trip to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling Trump's recent comments about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "offensive," reports CNN. Speaking to Italy's La7, Trump claimed Meloni had "begged" him for a photo at this week's G7 summit and said he posed only because he felt sorry for her. Meloni fired back in a video on X, calling the remarks "completely fabricated" and saying Italy "never beg[s]." She questioned why Trump reserves his toughest language for allies rather than "enemies of the West."

The AP notes that the leaders' tiff marks another downgrade in what was once a standout relationship between Trump and the right-wing Italian leader, who has largely aligned with him on immigration and national sovereignty but has resisted joining the US war with Iran. Italy has also been at odds with Trump over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, US support for Israel in the Gaza war, and the tariffs that the US president has imposed globally. The Miami forum that Tajani was due to attend was also canceled. Trump later doubled down to NBC News, saying he doesn't want Meloni as a "fan" due to her stance during the Iran conflict.