Meloni’s Heartfelt Reaction: How Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Stole the Spotlight at the Gaza Peace Summit

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: At a summit meant to broker peace in Gaza, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni turned into the unexpected sensation. Unfazed by Donald Trump’s awkward remarks, surprised by Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif’s excessive praise, and quick-witted in her reply to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Meloni managed to dominate global headlines without ever seeking the spotlight.

Amidst a sea of seasoned politicians and powerful personalities, Meloni’s composure, facial expressions, and candid humor stood out. Her poised yet expressive demeanor made her the unintentional showstopper at an event attended by over 30 international leaders gathered to discuss Gaza’s future.

Trump’s Awkward Compliment Goes Viral

The first viral moment of the evening came when Donald Trump made an uncomfortable remark while addressing the audience. In his familiar off-the-cuff style, the former U.S. President said, “One of our women, a young lady, is… she’s a beautiful young woman. But I’m not allowed to say that because it usually means the end of your political career.”

Standing behind Trump, Giorgia Meloni remained composed, her face betraying only a faint look of disbelief. Unfazed, Trump continued: “Where is she? She’s there! I take it that you don’t mind being labeled beautiful? Because you are.” The crowd laughed nervously while cameras zoomed in on Meloni’s polite yet visibly uneasy smile.

At 48, Meloni was the only female leader among 30 global heads of state at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit — a detail that made Trump’s comment even more controversial. Social media exploded shortly after the exchange, with many users criticizing Trump’s “outdated” tone and labeling the moment “cringeworthy.”

American political commentator Harry Sisson tweeted, “This is disgusting. The Italian Prime Minister was visibly uncomfortable when Trump referred to her as a ‘beautiful young woman.’ On the world stage, he continues to embarrass the United States.”

Meloni Becomes Target of Erdogan’s Anti-Smoking Crusade

Another viral moment followed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to lecture Meloni about her smoking habit. During an informal chat on the sidelines of the summit, Erdogan told her, “You came down from the plane, and I saw you. You look fantastic. But I have to make you quit smoking.”

Standing nearby, French President Emmanuel Macron interjected with a laugh: “It’s impossible!” The Italian leader, known for her quick wit, playfully responded, “I know, I know… I don’t want to kill somebody.” Her humorous comeback sent the group into laughter and instantly went viral on X (formerly Twitter).

Meloni’s smoking habit is no secret. In her autobiography, “I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles,” whose preface was written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she admitted to resuming smoking after 13 years. According to Politico, Meloni wrote that sharing a cigarette often helps her build camaraderie with global leaders — a small but telling glimpse into her personal diplomacy style.

Meloni’s Expressions Say It All

Perhaps the most talked-about moment of the entire event came when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the stage. In an overly dramatic speech, Sharif showered praise on Trump, calling him a “man of peace” and even suggesting that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Gaza peace deal and “preventing nuclear war” in South Asia.

“I want to nominate this great president for the Nobel Peace Prize, for bringing peace not only to Gaza but to all of South Asia, saving millions of lives,” Sharif declared. As the over-the-top flattery unfolded, the cameras captured Meloni’s priceless reactions — from a stifled laugh to a subtle eye-roll, followed by her now-iconic poker face.

Political commentators were quick to note how Meloni’s facial expressions reflected what many leaders in the room were likely thinking. Social media dubbed her “the face of reason at the Sharm summit,” with clips of her reactions amassing millions of views within hours.

This isn’t the first time the Italian leader’s expressions have gone viral. At the NATO summit in 2023, she was caught on camera rolling her eyes when U.S. President Joe Biden arrived late. Her authenticity and unfiltered reactions have since become a hallmark of her leadership style — relatable, expressive, and unapologetically human.

Despite the summit’s intended focus on restoring stability in the Middle East after the Gaza agreement, it was Meloni’s charm, composure, and spontaneity that captured the world’s attention. In a gathering dominated by male leaders and heavy rhetoric, she emerged as the unexpected star of Sharm el-Sheikh.