A simmering rift between President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni burst into the open Friday after the G7 summit, exposing growing tensions between two leaders whose close political alliance had long positioned Meloni among Trump's closest allies on the world stage."Donald Trump's statements are completely made up.I am frankly astonished.
I don't know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover," Meloni said Friday, according to Reuters.Trump told an Italian news outlet that Meloni "begged" him to take a photo with her during the G7 earlier this week, which sparked strong rebuke from the prime minister and Italian diplomats.Before the recent strain over Iran, Meloni was widely viewed as one of Trump's strongest allies on the world stage, even attending his 2025 presidential inauguration as the only European leader present."She wanted a picture with me so badly.
I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said to La7 TV channel."She's probably happy I talked to her.
I didn't have to talk to her."WHO IS GIORGIA MELONI? TRUMP HOSTS ITALIAN PM AT MAR-A-LAGOPresident-elect Donald J.Trump welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to his Mar-a-Lago residence, where both posed for a photo smiling and Trump gave a thumbs up in 2024.
(TeamTrump)Meloni fired back: "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.""There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg," she added.Representatives from the prime minister’s office told Fox News Digital they have no comment at the moment.Fox News Digital also reached out to the White House.RUBIO MEETS MELONI AS TRUMP–POPE CLASH ESCALATES US STRAINS WITH KEY EUROPEAN ALLYMeloni said Trump's statements were "completely made up" and that "neither I ...