'I Never Beg,' Meloni Declares After Trump Photo Fiasco

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a heated video response Friday after President Donald Trump claimed that she had “begged” for a photo with him during the G7 summit in France earlier this week.

Meloni denied the claims, saying that Trump’s recounting of their interaction had been “totally invented” and that she was “frankly stunned” that Trump would act this way toward an ally.

She continued, saying that it’s unfortunate that Trump “doesn’t show the same determination” with enemies of the U.S. and the West, adding that he tends to be “more accommodating” toward those people. (RELATED: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Flooded Her Nation With Migrants When No One Was Looking)

“I and Italy never beg,” Meloni concluded, according to a translation of her Italian response.

Trump told Italian journalist Daniele Compatangelo that the interaction had taken place at the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, according to TG LA 7.

“Meloni was happy that we talked; I didn’t have to. She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted it so badly … I wouldn’t have taken it. I felt sorry for her,” Trump said before attacking Europe’s energy and immigration policies.

Videos of Trump and Meloni’s interactions have been circulating on social media, some accompanied by comments praising the Italian prime minister as strong. In contrast, others say she looks like she is fighting for the president’s attention.

A 20-second video shows Meloni speaking with Trump; although the audio does not capture her words, she is seen gesturing with her hands as Trump silently nods, looks around the room, and then moves toward his seat.

Another video, presumably after the meeting, shows Meloni leaning against a chair as she waits for Trump to finish speaking with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

A final video shows a separate interaction between the two, with Meloni and Trump sitting on a couch and talking before Trump stands up, shakes her hand, pats her on the shoulder, and walks away.

Meloni’s party, Fratelli d’Italia, agreed with her sentiment that Trump should find more courage in standing up to the enemies of the West.

“Giorgia and Italy don’t beg anyone,” the party continued. “Always standing tall and with heads held high.”

Conservative political commentator Ryan James Girdusky responded to the party’s statement, saying, “This is a popular stance in Italy.”

Girdusky also stated that “Trump is very unpopular in Italy,” and suggested that Meloni, whose coalition partners are struggling in the polls, may benefit from purposely distancing herself from Trump, whom he described as “toxic in Europe.”

Responses also came from other Italian leaders, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who announced that he had canceled his planned trip to the U.S. in response to Trump’s “serious and offensive words,” which he said offended all of Italy. (RELATED: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Shares Risqué Image To Fight Online Trolls)

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, minister of infrastructure and transport, and leader of the country’s populist party, Lega, said that an attack on Meloni is an attack on all of Italy.

Meloni’s office did not respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.