Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called out US President Donald Trump for "senseless", "constant, unprovoked attacks", as a row triggered by his claim she begged him for a picture escalates.

The US president had told an Italian TV channel: "She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so ​badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her."

In an Instagram post yesterday, Ms Meloni said in response: "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."

Mr Trump then said on Truth Social: "Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia [sic] 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."

In the latest response on Saturday, Ms Meloni said the "constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless".

She continued: "As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you.

"My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done."

The Italian leader said she would not return to the subject after today's response.

Diplomatic fallout

Following Mr Trump's comments that she had "begged" him for a photo, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said he was cancelling a planned US visit next week.

Mr Tajani said in a post on X: "The ⁠serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend the whole of Italy."

Now Sky News understands several ministers won't be attending 4 July celebrations at the US embassy in Rome as the row escalates.

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The heated exchange broke out just days after signs emerged at the summit ⁠that the two right-wing leaders had ironed out previous strains in their relationship following tensions over the Iran war.

Video from the event in Evian, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, showed Ms Meloni and the US president in conversation, sitting side-by-side on a small sofa.

But Mr Trump suggested he had only indulged Ms Meloni by speaking with her.

"She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her," Mr Trump was quoted as saying by La7 TV channel in a brief interview, after he asked the journalist about Ms Meloni.

Ms Meloni, once a vocal supporter of Mr Trump and the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025, criticised him this year for his angry response to Pope Leo's condemnation of the Iran conflict.

The US president accused her of lacking courage, telling Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview: "I'm shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong."

Ms Meloni had also criticised Mr Trump for acting with far greater deference to the West's enemies than he does towards established allies

(c) Sky News 2026: Trump-Meloni row intensifies as leaders trade barbs