Rome, June 19 -- A major diplomatic rift erupted between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump following comments made by him to the Italian television network La7.

In the interview, Trump alleged that Meloni had "begged" to have a photograph taken with him at the 52nd G7 summit in Evian, France, adding, "I felt sorry for her."

Meloni issued a swift and sharp rebuttal, dismissing Trump's remarks in a self-recorded video message shared on X. The Italian PM said, "I am shocked by Trump's utterly fabricated words."

"Certain things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are totally invented. I am frankly appalled. I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way with his o...