During Monday’s Gaza summit in Egypt, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as “beautiful,” drawing attention away from the meeting’s central focus on peace efforts in Gaza.
The 79-year-old president and 48-year-old prime minister were among more than 20 world leaders gathered in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 13 to discuss a ceasefire and long-term stability in the region.
While delivering his remarks, Trump digressed from his prepared speech to comment on Meloni’s appearance. Turning toward the group of leaders standing behind him, he said, “We have a woman, a young woman, who’s a — I’m not allowed to say it, because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say she’s a beautiful young woman.”
He continued, “Now, you use the word ‘beautiful’ in the United States, about a woman, that’s the end of your political career, but I’ll take my chances.”
After looking around for Meloni, Trump added, “Where is she … there she is. You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? You are.”
The president went on to praise Meloni’s leadership, calling her “incredible” and commending her growing influence within Italian politics.
World leaders from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates attended the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined the invitation, citing observance of the final day of the Jewish festival Sukkot. Hamas did not send a representative.
At the meeting, Trump and several leaders signed “The Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity,” a framework agreement aimed at promoting lasting peace and cooperation in Gaza, according to ABC News.
The summit also coincided with a significant exchange between Israel and Hamas: the release of 20 Israeli hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees, the BBC reported.
