'Offensive Words': Italian Deputy PM Cancels US Visit After Trump's 'Meloni Begged For Pic' Remark

Published 19 June 2026 · politics

'Offensive Words': Italian Deputy PM Cancels US Visit After Trump's 'Meloni Begged For Pic' Remark Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 16:48 IST Italy

'Offensive Words': Italian Deputy PM Cancels US Visit After Trump's 'Meloni Begged For Pic' Remark Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 16:48 IST Italy Deputy PM Antonio Tajani criticised Donald Trump for saying Giorgia Meloni "begged" for a G7 photo with him, cancels his June 21-22 US visit in protest. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with her deputy, Antonio Tajani, at the lower house of the Italian Parliament in Rome on April 9, 2026. (AFP photo) Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s remarks, in which he stated that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged" him for a photograph at the G7 Summit in France. In a post on X, Tajani said that Trump’s remarks have “offended all of Italy." The Italian Deputy PM has also announced to cancel his visit to the US, planned for June 21 and 22, as a mark of protest against Trump.

Le gravi e offensive parole del Presidente Trump nei confronti del Presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni offendono tutta l’Italia. Per questo motivo ho deciso di annullare la mia visita negli Stati Uniti prevista per i prossimi 21 e 22 giugno.— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) June 19, 2026 “The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June," Tajani tweeted. ‘I Felt Sorry For Her’: What Trump Said The US President has sparked controversy after his recent remarks. Speaking to Italian media outlet La7 TV channel, Trump said, “She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her." “She’s probably happy I talked to her.

I didn’t have to talk to her," Trump added. ‘I and Italy Never Beg’: Meloni Fires Back Meanwhile, Meloni has rejected the remarks, calling them “completely made up" in a video posted on X. “Donald Trump’s statements are completely made up, I’m frankly appalled. I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; after all, it’s not the first time it’s happened," she said in the video. “I can only say it’s a shame that he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaderships toward which he instead proves much more accommodating. However, one thing he must remember: I and Italy never beg," she added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk.