The international spotlight turned to the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025, as over 20 world leaders, diplomats, and officials gathered for a pivotal summit aimed at charting a path toward peace in Gaza. But as the historic ceasefire talks unfolded, it wasn’t just diplomatic breakthroughs that captured global attention—it was also a series of unscripted, sometimes awkward, moments involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump that set social media abuzz and left observers debating the boundaries of international decorum.
According to ANSA and BTA, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived at the summit alongside leaders from the United States, France, Spain, Germany, and others. Meloni, representing Italy’s ongoing humanitarian commitment to Gaza, described the gathering as “a historic day,” adding, “I am proud that Italy is here.” She highlighted her country’s efforts to support the population of Gaza, its push for a ceasefire, and its readiness to contribute to a future stabilization force—pending approval from the Italian parliament. “This is a great opportunity,” Meloni said, emphasizing Italy’s willingness to participate in rebuilding Gaza and in training Palestinian police as part of an EU mission in Rafah.
Meloni’s remarks also touched on the sensitive subject of Italy’s recognition of a Palestinian state. She clarified that such recognition hinged on conditions set by the Italian parliament: the return of all hostages, both living and dead, and the prevention of Hamas from holding power in any future Palestinian state. “It is clear that if the plan is implemented, Italy's recognition of Palestine will be closer,” she said. But she stressed that parliamentary approval would be required for any Italian involvement in a future stabilization force, noting, “When such a resolution is approved and Italy is asked to participate in such a mission, I will ask the parliament if it agrees.”
Yet, as the leaders worked through the weighty issues of war and peace, the summit’s sidelines delivered moments of levity and controversy. As reported by France 24 and AFP, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan playfully teased Meloni about her smoking habit, prompting laughter from French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Keir Starmer. The banter offered a brief respite from the gravity of the day’s agenda and underscored the uniquely personal dynamics that often shape international gatherings.
But it was Donald Trump’s interactions with Meloni that truly stole the show—and the headlines. On stage, in full view of the assembled dignitaries and the world’s media, Trump turned to Meloni and declared, “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? ’Cause you are.” According to Indy100 and Zee News, he prefaced the compliment by acknowledging, “I'm not allowed to say it—because it’s the end of your political career if you say she’s a beautiful young woman. But I’ll take my chances.” Meloni, the only female leader on stage, responded with a smile and a laugh, but the moment quickly went viral, sparking debate across social media and news outlets.
Trump’s comments didn’t stop there. He praised Meloni as “an incredible leader,” saying, “She wanted to be here, and she’s incredible. And they really respect her in Italy. She’s a very successful—very successful politician.” The U.S. president repeated his earlier compliment about her being “a beautiful young woman” before thanking her for attending the summit. Agence France-Presse and ANSA noted that Trump even joked about the potential political risk of making such remarks, asking Meloni if his comments posed a problem for her. She limited her response to a polite smile.
The handshake between Trump and Meloni was another moment that drew widespread attention. As the cameras flashed, Meloni appeared visibly uncomfortable, quickly pulling her hand away—a gesture that many interpreted as a subtle rebuke or at least a sign of unease. Indy100 reported that the video of the exchange rapidly went viral, fueling further discussion about the appropriateness of Trump’s remarks and behavior.
Observers were quick to contextualize Trump’s comments within his broader history of controversial statements about women. Zee News highlighted that the compliment came on the heels of a high-profile defamation case, in which Trump was ordered to pay author E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million after being found liable for sexual assault and defamation. The verdict had reignited scrutiny of Trump’s pattern of remarks, with critics and political analysts noting that, while the Meloni exchange seemed lighthearted, it nonetheless added to a long-standing debate over sexism and propriety in public life.
Despite the awkwardness, Meloni remained focused on the summit’s central purpose. She reiterated Italy’s commitment to humanitarian work in Gaza and to supporting a lasting ceasefire. The Italian Carabinieri’s ongoing training of Palestinian police, as well as Italy’s participation in the EU mission in Rafah, were cited as concrete examples of her country’s engagement. Meloni also met with other leaders on the sidelines, including Trump, further reinforcing Italy’s diplomatic role in the region.
For his part, Trump celebrated the summit as a “new beginning” for Gaza’s postwar future, describing it as a defining achievement of his second term. The event was marked by the signing of “The Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity” for Gaza, a document hailed by world leaders as a historic breakthrough. According to ANSA and AFP, the summit’s outcomes were widely praised, even as the unconventional moments between leaders dominated much of the media coverage.
The spectacle of impromptu flattery and awkward interactions did not go unnoticed online. Social media was flooded with reactions ranging from amusement to outrage, with many users debating whether Trump’s comments were harmless banter or symptomatic of deeper issues in international diplomacy. Some analysts pointed out that, while Trump’s remarks might have been intended as lighthearted, they nonetheless reflected a broader pattern that has drawn criticism throughout his political career.
Adding to the media whirlwind, Trump took to his own social network, “Tweet social,” on October 14 to call Meloni “a source of inspiration for everyone” and to promote her autobiographical book, now translated into English. “Giorgia Meloni, the GREAT Prime Minister of Italy, has written a new book. Giorgia is doing an incredible job for the great people of Italy. She is a source of inspiration for everyone,” Trump posted, urging followers to “Buy this book now.” The post was accompanied by an image of the book’s cover, further cementing Meloni’s place in the international spotlight.
In the end, the Sharm el-Sheikh summit will be remembered not only for its diplomatic achievements but also for the very human, sometimes messy, moments that unfolded between its key players. As the world waits to see if the agreements reached will bring lasting peace to Gaza, the images and soundbites from the summit serve as a vivid reminder that, in international politics, personalities and perceptions can be just as consequential as policy.