New Delhi, June 19: US President Donald Trump today kicked off a diplomatic spat with Italy, as he publicly insulted its Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who hit out at him for “lying”.
Trump, in a mocking tone, claimed that at the recently G7 Summit in France, Meloni “begged” for a photo with him and that he “felt sorry for her.”
The US President made the controversial statement in a TV interview.
Shortly afterwards, Meloni issued a video statement, condemning Trump for making such an irresponsible statement.
Calling Trump’s claim as “completely fabricated”, she said, “I am frankly appalled… I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his allies.”
She added that Trump appears to show more accommodation towards “the enemies of the West” than America’s allies.
Concluding, Meloni said, “Italy and I never beg.”
Amidst the spat, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned two-day official visit to Washington that was to begin on June 21.
This is not the first time that Trump has insulted and humiliated a leader of another country.
More than a year back, he humiliated Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky in front of the media during their meeting at the White House.
He has done similar acts to demean leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries. (NVI)
