Meloni Accuses Trump of Lying After Alleged Photo Request

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted sharply on Friday to remarks made by US President Donald Trump on the Italian television channel La7, in which he claimed that she had begged him for a photo together at the G7 summit in France. In the dubbed interview, Trump suggested that he had spoken with her only out of compassion, and only because she had begged him to do so.

Meloni called the claim completely fabricated and said she was appalled by the US president's behavior. She also accused him of treating US allies with disrespect while showing far greater leniency and resolve toward the West's enemies.

"There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg", she added.

The latest clash comes just days after the right-wing leaders at the G7 summit appeared to have settled their earlier disputes. Meloni was originally a close ally of Trump and the only European leader to attend his inauguration. Relations were later strained by the war in Iran.

Meloni distanced herself from Trump after the US president sharply attacked Pope Leo XIV over his condemnation of the conflict in Iran. Trump subsequently accused the Italian prime minister of a lack of courage.

(Reuters, Max)