Several world leaders convened in Egypt on Monday for the Gaza Peace Summit, held against the backdrop of a major breakthrough in ending the two-year-long violence in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.
While US President Donald Trump received widespread praise for his role in brokering the Israel-Hamas intervention and delivered a campaign-style speech in Sharm El-Sheikh, attention also focused on a notably awkward moment involving his compliment to Italian President Giorgia Meloni.
During his speech, Trump acknowledged the global leaders standing behind him, thanking them for their presence. When it was Meloni’s turn, he remarked on her “beauty” and nervously asked if she was offended by the compliment.
“We have a woman, a young woman who… I’m not allowed to say it because it’s usually the end of your political career if you say she’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump said, lamenting how in the US such a comment can ruin a political career.
“But I’ll take my chances,” he added, turning to Meloni. “There she is, you don’t mind being called beautiful, right? ‘Cause you are. Thank you very much for coming, appreciate it.”
The clip quickly went viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions as some users felt Meloni did not seem pleased with the compliment.
This wasn’t Meloni’s only viral interaction with world leaders in Egypt that day. In another video, she was seen talking with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who humorously advised her to quit smoking.
“You look great, but I have to make you stop smoking,” Erdogan told Meloni, with French President Emmanuel Macron nearby. “I know, I know,” Meloni replied.
Meloni’s exchanges with Trump and Erdogan captured widespread attention as they joined several other global leaders at the summit where Trump signed the Gaza agreement. Addressing the leaders lined up behind him, Trump said, “You’re friends of mine, you’re great people. I have a couple I don’t like in particular but I won’t tell you who.”
The event, held in the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, marked a significant step toward de-escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas.
