What was meant to be a landmark moment for diplomacy in the Middle East turned into a spectacle of awkward exchanges, off-script humor, and political tension — all thanks to former U.S. President Donald Trump. At a global peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders gathered to discuss a proposed truce between Israel and Hamas, Trump once again managed to steal the spotlight — and not always for the right reasons.
It was billed as a “historic meeting,” with leaders from across the world in attendance. Cameras flashed, security was tight, and expectations were high. But within minutes of Trump’s arrival, the focus shifted from policy to personality.
The first eyebrow-raising moment came early. While greeting dignitaries, Trump mistakenly introduced Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as “President Carney.” The crowd chuckled, and Carney, quick to defuse the tension, leaned in with a grin. “I’m glad you upgraded me to president,” he said. Trump smirked and replied, “At least I didn’t say governor,” before tapping Carney’s arm and laughing it off.
It might have been a harmless gaffe, but it set the tone for the rest of the event — where Trump’s mix of charm and unpredictability would keep everyone on edge.
Moments later, Trump turned his attention to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, delivering a remark that instantly went viral. “I’m not allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you do,” he said, pausing for effect. “But she’s a beautiful young woman.”
He wasn’t done. “If you use the word ‘beautiful’ in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career,” he continued, smiling. “But I’ll take my chances.” Then, turning directly to Meloni, he asked, “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are.”
The audience offered a mix of polite laughter and visible discomfort. Diplomats exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to clap or cringe. Meloni, keeping her composure, smiled faintly and nodded.
But the laughter quickly faded as Trump’s next encounter took an unexpectedly awkward turn — this time involving British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The summit’s main purpose was to present Trump’s “Gaza Peace Initiative,” an ambitious plan he claimed would bring a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Germany’s Olaf Scholz attended to show support or, at least, diplomatic interest. Starmer was there too, representing the United Kingdom’s backing of the peace framework.
Things started going sideways before Trump even arrived. He was several hours late, reportedly after visiting freed Hamas hostages in Israel. When he finally took the stage, the cameras zoomed in on his grand entrance — and on Starmer, who was standing slightly off to the side, waiting for his turn.
Trump began by calling out countries alphabetically, inviting their representatives up for brief handshakes. One by one, leaders came forward. When he finally reached “United Kingdom,” he looked around theatrically and asked, “Where is the United Kingdom? Come here.”
Starmer smiled and stepped up, offering a polite joke: “Behind you, as usual.”
They shook hands. “Everything going good?” Trump asked.
“Very good,” Starmer replied, smiling diplomatically.
But before the British leader could say another word, Trump turned his back to him and began addressing the audience again. Starmer froze for half a second, then quietly stepped back to his place, expression carefully neutral. The cameras caught it all. Within minutes, clips of the exchange flooded social media — and the commentary was brutal.
“Trump just humiliated Keir Starmer on live TV,” one user wrote on X. “Calls him up, shakes his hand, ignores him completely, and moves on. You couldn’t script that kind of political awkwardness.”
Another user joked, “Starmer thought he was about to give a speech. Instead, he got a handshake and a dismissal.”
By the time the summit ended, screenshots and videos of Starmer’s uncomfortable smile had gone viral. Commentators accused Trump of deliberately sidelining the UK, turning a diplomatic show of unity into a power play.
Trying to regain control of the narrative, Starmer later posted a photo of the handshake on social media with the caption:
“President Trump, this is your achievement. I thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this moment. The UK stands ready to support a full implementation of the peace plan.”
The post was meant to project professionalism — but critics weren’t buying it. Several media outlets noted that the UK had played only a marginal role in the negotiations. A U.S. ambassador to Israel reportedly described one British minister as “delusional” for claiming influence in the process.
And Starmer wasn’t the only one to experience a diplomatic misfire. French President Emmanuel Macron also found himself in a tense on-camera moment with Trump. As the two men shook hands, what began as a routine greeting turned into an extended, white-knuckled grip — one that seemed to border on psychological warfare.
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, the conversation went like this:
Trump: “Nice to see you. So, you agreed?”
Macron (softly): “Of course.”
Trump: “Are you being genuine?”
Macron: “Yes.”
Trump (tightening his grip): “Okay, so now I want to know why. You hurt me. I already know.”
The French leader’s smile faltered. Cameras zoomed in on his strained expression, his fingers twitching as Trump refused to release his hand. The clip, replayed endlessly on international news channels, became another symbol of Trump’s unconventional — and often confrontational — brand of diplomacy.
As the summit concluded, the official message remained one of unity and progress. The peace deal, Trump declared, would “end decades of conflict and bring true stability to the Middle East.” But the images dominating headlines weren’t about policy achievements. They were about the interactions — the jokes, the stumbles, the power plays — that left other leaders looking more like props in Trump’s performance.
Reactions from global analysts were mixed. Supporters called it “classic Trump” — unscripted, confident, and disarmingly honest. Critics called it “a masterclass in diplomatic disrespect.”
“He treats international politics like a reality show,” one European commentator said. “It’s entertaining, but it’s dangerous.”
Meanwhile, American conservatives praised Trump’s assertiveness. “He makes everyone else look small,” one commentator wrote. “That’s leadership.”
Back in the UK, the reaction was more divided. Some of Starmer’s allies downplayed the incident, saying it was “a non-story.” Others admitted privately that the optics were terrible. One political insider commented, “He looked like a schoolboy waiting to be called on by the headmaster. It’s the last image you want in a global leadership moment.”
For all the controversy, one thing was undeniable: the summit, meant to showcase international cooperation, became yet another reminder of Trump’s ability to dominate any stage — even when it’s supposed to belong to someone else.
By the time the motorcades rolled out of Sharm el-Sheikh and the leaders boarded their planes, the headlines were already written. The peace deal would be discussed in the days ahead, but the world’s attention had already shifted — not to the agreement’s details, but to Trump’s offhand remarks, his handshake with Starmer, and his cryptic exchange with Macron.
Once again, Donald Trump had turned global diplomacy into prime-time theater — and everyone else, whether they liked it or not, had become part of the show.