When two world leaders meet on a crimson carpet, you’d anticipate diplomatic smiles and cordial pleasantries, however when Donald Trump prolonged his hand to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, her face advised a very totally different story than the one their handlers in all probability hoped for.
The encounter befell on the Center East peace summit in Egypt, the place international leaders gathered to witness the ceasefire settlement signing, and rapidly grew to become the speak of social media after footage captured the awkward alternate between the 2 political leaders.
Meloni, wearing a lavender pantsuit, approached the U.S. President, who sported his signature blue go well with and outsized crimson tie.
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As a substitute of a diplomatic greeting, cameras caught each uncomfortable second as Trump launched into small speak whereas Meloni’s expression shifted from well mannered acknowledgment to what many viewers interpreted as barely hid exasperation.
The physique language spoke volumes.
As Trump continued his remarks, Meloni appeared to roll her eyes earlier than fixing a clean stare towards the cameras. She finally squared her physique to face the press crew, forcing what some observers interpreted as a painful smile because the president initiated his infamous dominance handshake — the identical grip-and-yank method he’s deployed with different world leaders.
🚨 BREAKING: Italian Prime Minister GIORGIA MELONI simply met President Trump in Egypt
SO MANY nations are taking part within the Center East peace summit as a result of they know what Trump has performed is historic.
Italy is a good ally! 🇺🇸🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/cY5hX9oVQN
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 13, 2025
Social media wasted no time dissecting the interplay.
“What did she imply by this?” one individual questioned on X, sharing a screenshot of Meloni’s facial features throughout the greeting.
One other observer was extra direct: “She pulled away like she was about to puke.”
The commentary ranged from involved to amused, with one consumer pleading, “Let her go mate. Poor girl seems terrified.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— lemo/ 20 🏆 (@fitratollah) October 13, 2025
Others centered on Trump’s method itself, with somebody stating, “He even yanks ladies’s palms when he shakes them lol?” whereas one other merely summarized, “This was cringeworthy. Meloni was not amused.”
The far-right Italian prime minister was the one feminine chief among the many 30 world leaders who gathered on the summit on stage, the place Trump shared some selection phrases for her throughout his speech about peace efforts.
“I’m not allowed to say it as a result of often it’s the top of your political profession when you say it — she’s an exquisite younger girl,” Trump said about Meloni, in response to France24. “In case you use the phrase ‘lovely’ in america a few girl, that’s the top of your political profession, however I’ll take my probabilities.”
He turned his again to the group and requested Meloni: “You don’t thoughts being referred to as lovely, proper? Since you are.”
Her face was hidden by Trump’s again, so it’s unclear how she responded to Trump’s remarks within the second, in response to the outlet. After seeing the video footage, “We’re so sorry Ms. Meloni, we’re embarrassed. Thanks for being so gracious about his boorish behaviour.”
“You don’t thoughts being referred to as lovely, proper? Since you are.”
Trump gushes over Italian PM @GiorgiaMeloni’s seems throughout Egypt peace summit pic.twitter.com/wzb378uEcd
— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) October 13, 2025
However this wasn’t the primary time he’s used his aggressive handshake in one other energy play transfer.
The method has change into one thing of a trademark, one which psychology professor Geoff Beattie as soon as described as weaponizing what a gesture of peace ought to be into a gap transfer for dominance ought to be. The technique includes pulling recipients ahead into his private area whereas concurrently unbalancing them to create psychological benefit.
Trump famously subjected former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to a 19-second marathon handshake that included repeated hand pats, which specialists interpreted as dominance indicators fairly than pleasant gestures.
However not each chief has performed alongside. Throughout a summit in Alaska, Trump tried his signature transfer with Vladimir Putin, solely to search out the Russian president had come ready. Putin planted his ft and locked his posture, creating an immovable power that left Trump unable to finish his trademark maneuver — a second that grew to become its personal viral sensation.
Trump once more tried to try this bullshit Energy handshake and putin was conscious of it🤣🤣
— Charlie (@Charlie140962) August 15, 2025
For her half, Meloni has navigated her relationship with Trump rigorously in public boards.
Earlier than Trump took workplace for his second time period in January, she diplomatically downplayed his controversial statements about probably utilizing army power to grab Greenland and the Panama Canal, suggesting his phrases had been truly geared toward warning China and different international powers fairly than representing real hostile intent, in response to PBS.
As footage of the handshake continues circulating on-line, it serves as yet one more reminder that on the earth of high-stakes diplomacy, generally essentially the most trustworthy reactions are those leaders can’t fairly conceal — even when the cameras are rolling and the entire world is watching.
