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

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.

US 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 highly public exchange is an indication that their earlier close ties have frayed since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.