19 jun 2026
'Completely made up': Italy's PM on Trump's comments she begged him for photo

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused Donald Trump of making up a story about her, after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a picture with her at the G7 summit in France.
across the coverage
Italy and the United States have plunged into a diplomatic spat on Friday, after Donald Trump told Italian media that its prime minister had "begged him for a photo" at the recent G7 summit. It immediately sparked outrage in Italian political circles and beyond, drawing a response from Georgia Meloni herself as the fallout continues. Story by Luke Shrago.
france 24US president provokes outrage as PM says he ‘totally invented’ story in interview with Italian media Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said Donald Trump “totally invented” a story about her after the US president claimed she begged him to take a photo with her during the G7 summit. The two former allies had appeared to be getting their relationship back on track by having several one-to-ones on the sidelines at the gathering in Évian after falling out in April over the US-Israeli war in Iran.
the guardianThe highly public exchange is an indication that their earlier close ties have frayed since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.
bbc news
coverage · 5 outlets
- 12:27politico europe
Italy’s Meloni fires back after Trump says she ‘begged’ him for a photo
- 13:42bbc news
Italy's Meloni says Trump 'made up' story that she 'begged' him for photo at G7
- 14:10the guardian
Italy PM Meloni ‘stunned’ by Trump’s claims she begged him for a photo
- 15:58france 24
Italy : Meloni says Trump 'made up' story that she 'begged' him for photo
- 08:59france 24
'Neither I nor Italy ever beg': Meloni hits back at Trump claim that she begged for a photo
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