A bitter transatlantic row has erupted after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused Donald Trump of inventing a story that she "begged" him for a photograph at the G7 summit in France. The extraordinary clash exploded just days after signs emerged that the two right-wing leaders had repaired a relationship strained by disagreements over the Iran war. Now, those hopes appear to have been thrown into doubt by a fresh war of words. Ms Meloni said she was "astonished" by comments attributed to the US president and branded them "completely made up". Her response triggered a furious backlash from senior figures in the Italian government and prompted the cancellation of a planned diplomatic visit to the United States. The controversy centres on remarks Mr Trump reportedly made to Italian broadcaster La7 following the G7 summit in Evian, which ran from Monday to Wednesday. Footage from the gathering showed the two leaders sitting side-by-side on a small sofa and speaking together. The images appeared to suggest a friendly exchange between the pair. However, Mr Trump later suggested he had only spoken with Ms Meloni as a favour. According to a translation provided by La7, the US president said: "She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her." He went further, claiming: "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. Meloni rolling her eyes at Macron during the G7 summit La7 released a dubbed version of the interview rather than the original audio. The reported remarks quickly sparked outrage in Italy. Ms Meloni fired back with a strongly worded response. "Donald Trump's statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished," she said. The Italian prime minister questioned why the US president behaved in such a way toward allies, noting that it was not the first time he had done so. She also accused him of showing more leniency towards adversaries of the West than towards long-standing partners. "I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence," she said. Then came her sharpest line. "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg." The fallout spread rapidly through the Italian government. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was cancelling a planned visit to the United States scheduled for next week. Writing on X, Mr Tajani said the "serious and offensive words" directed at Ms Meloni offended the whole of Italy. One of Ms Meloni's closest allies also launched a blistering attack on the US president. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister's office, accused Mr Trump of damaging relations between Europe and the United States. He questioned whether the president was acting through "intent or ineptitude" and said Mr Trump was "wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe". Fazzolari added that the president's "inappropriate outbursts" had achieved the difficult feat of making the United States unpopular across Europe while harming American interests. The dispute is particularly striking given Ms Meloni's previous support for Mr Trump. She was the only European leader to attend his 2025 inauguration and was once regarded as one of his strongest allies on the continent. But tensions have surfaced repeatedly this year. Ms Meloni criticised Mr Trump's angry response to Pope Leo's condemnation of the Iran conflict. In return, Mr Trump accused her of lacking courage and told Corriere della Sera: "I'm shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong." Now, a relationship that appeared to be recovering after the G7 summit faces fresh strain. Whether the two leaders can repair the damage may become clearer in the weeks ahead as diplomatic contacts continue and the political fallout unfolds. 'Completely made up': Italy's PM on Trump's comments she begged him for photo
