Trump and Italy's Giorgia Meloni used to be buds. But a rift is widening

NPR News Friday 19 June 2026, 20:32 UTC By Rebecca Rosman 1 min read

Key Points

"Italy and I do not beg," Meloni said in a video rebuke posted on social media Friday. Italy's top diplomat, meanwhile, said he was cancelling a visit to the U.S because of the alleged remarks.(Image credit: Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

"Italy and I do not beg," Meloni said in a video rebuke posted on social media Friday. Italy's top diplomat, meanwhile, said he was cancelling a visit to the U.S because of the alleged remarks.

(Image credit: Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Trump (ORG) Italy (LOCATION) Giorgia Meloni (PERSON) Meloni (PERSON) U.S (LOCATION) Geert Vanden Wijngaert (PERSON)

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Trump and Italy's Giorgia Meloni used to be buds. But a rift is widening

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