Italian PM Meloni says Trump 'invented' story that she begged him for photo

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday strongly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump, accusing him of fabricating a story about their interaction at the G7 summit.

The dispute began after Trump told an Italian television channel that Meloni had “begged” him to take a photo with her during the summit.

Meloni said she was “astonished” by the remarks and called them “completely made up”. She also criticised Trump for showing more leniency towards the West’s opponents than its longstanding allies.

“There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg,” Meloni said in a strong response.

The exchange has further strained relations between the two leaders, just days after the G7 summit in France had appeared to show signs of improved ties following earlier tensions over the Iran conflict.

Video from the summit showed Trump and Meloni sitting together and talking privately, but Trump later suggested he was simply indulging her.

The fallout has also affected diplomatic ties, with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announcing the cancellation of his planned visit to the United States next week. Tajani said Trump’s remarks were offensive not only to Meloni but to Italy as a whole.