Donald Trump takes furious swipe at Italian PM Meloni in 'picture' row – 'No thanks!'

Donald Trump is continuing his feud with Giorgia Meloni over claims that she “begged” him for a picture during the G7 summit this week. The US President took to his social media platform Truth Social to reiterate this claim, which the Italian Prime Minister dismissed as untrue.

In his latest update, he savaged Ms Meloni for “doing poorly in Italy” and expressed his frustration at her refusal to engage in the US-Iran war. He wrote: “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France.

“She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).

“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ NATO Allies.

“Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!! President DJT”

She added: “Italy and I do not beg.” The US President allegedly made the comments in a phone interview on the Italian La7 network, after being asked about Ukraine.

He responded by bringing up the Italian Prime Minister, and the conversation turned to their meeting during the G7 in Evian-les-Bains, France. The pair were filmed speaking at several moments, including alone on a small sofa.

According to La7, Mr Trump said Ms Meloni “begged” him for a photo, and while he wasn’t obliged to do it, he felt sorry for her and agreed. The broadcaster did not produce Mr Trump’s original words in English, but voiced them over in Italian.

Ms Meloni responded in her video: “Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned. I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn’t the first time this has happened.

“I can only say that it’s a shame he doesn’t show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States – toward leaders with whom he, on the other hand, is much more accommodating.

“But there’s one thing he must remember: Italy and I do not beg.”