India, June 20 -- US President Donald Trump on Saturday kept up his attacks on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming she repeatedly sought a photograph with him during the recent Group of Seven summit and saying she was "doing poorly" politically in Italy.

The remarks escalated a dispute that erupted earlier this week after Trump, in an interview with an Italian broadcaster, said Meloni had "begged" for a photo with him at the G7 meeting in France. Meloni dismissed the claim as "completely fabricated."

The controversy prompted Italy's foreign minister to cancel a planned trip to the United States as members of Meloni's government rallied behind her.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture wit...