Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic controversy unfolded at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, where the U.S. president remarked to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which drew global backlash. While addressing fellow leaders, Trump described Meloni as “a beautiful young woman,” acknowledging mid-speech that such a comment “could end a political career in the United States.” His comments have since ignited widespread criticism online, with many condemning the remark as sexist and inappropriate for a world stage.
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Controversial Comment at Peace Summit
During Monday’s summit, Trump’s interaction with Giorgia Meloni quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the event. Addressing the gathering, he began, “We have a woman, a young woman, who’s uh… I’m not allowed to say it,” before going on to say what he claimed he shouldn’t. “She’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump declared, despite admitting that such a statement could be “the end” of a political career in the United States. The remark, made in front of global leaders and cameras, immediately drew visible discomfort from the audience.
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‘I’ll Take My Chances,’ Says Trump
After acknowledging the inappropriateness of his statement, Trump continued to double down. “Now, if you use the word ‘beautiful’ in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career,” he said, smirking. “But I’ll take my chances.” Turning to Meloni, who stood behind him, he added, “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right?” before answering his own question: “It’s okay for me to say so because she’s beautiful in my opinion.” The exchange, caught on camera, instantly went viral, fueling debates over Trump’s behavior toward female leaders.
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Meloni’s Composed Reaction
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister and one of the few women attending the summit, maintained composure during the encounter. Her muted reaction contrasted sharply with Trump’s self-congratulatory tone. Observers noted that the moment underscored a pattern in Trump’s diplomacy, where compliments often veer into personal or inappropriate territory. The interaction overshadowed much of the summit’s focus on Gaza ceasefire talks and reignited discussions about sexism in global politics.
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Mocking the Canadian Prime Minister
Trump’s controversial exchanges didn’t stop there. He also took a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who joked about being “promoted” when Trump mistakenly referred to him as “president.” Trump responded with a smirk: “At least I didn’t say governor.” The quip referenced Trump’s past habit of calling former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “Governor,” a slight many saw as a deliberate act of disrespect. His latest remark was widely viewed as a continuation of that condescending streak.
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Online Backlash Intensifies
Following the summit, social media erupted with outrage. Critics accused Trump of using sexist language unbecoming of a head of state. “Nothing quite like a creepy old man judging your physical appearance in front of the entire world…” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “End of political career? Sounds good, Donny.” A third commenter said, “It’s disgusting and inappropriate on every level in the gentleman’s code of conduct.” Many others pointed out that Meloni “is a leader, not just a pretty woman,” condemning Trump for reducing her to her appearance.
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Pattern of Offensive Diplomacy
Trump’s behavior at the Gaza peace summit is the latest in a series of moments where his personal remarks have overshadowed diplomatic efforts. While his administration has touted progress in brokering peace between Israel and Hamas, critics argue that his offhand comments and lack of decorum undermine U.S. credibility on the world stage. The incident with Meloni has once again raised questions about Trump’s ability to maintain professionalism in sensitive international settings.
