President Donald Trump on Thursday doubled down on his claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked for a photograph with him during this week's G7 summit, despite her public denial of the account, The Hill reported.

Trump told Italy's La7 broadcaster that Meloni "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."

Meloni responded on Friday by telling La7, "There is one thing he should remember: Neither I nor Italy ever beg."

Speaking after the summit, Trump maintained his version of events, according to The Hill.

The exchange marked an unusual public disagreement between Trump and Meloni, who has often been seen as one of his more aligned European counterparts.

The issue continued to draw attention following the summit, with neither side appearing to soften as the dispute extended beyond the G7 meetings.