POTUS casual sexism at Meloni sparks debate ‘You don’t mind being called beautiful, right?’
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt had become the center of global attention.
Global leaders from all over the world gathered for the Gaza Peace Summit.
The event came at a major breakthrough in ending the two-year-long violence in Gaza by Israel and the release of hostages.
Much of the summit focused on diplomacy and progress. But US President Donald Trump stole headlines for a moment that left many cringing.
Trump in his speech, thanked a line of international leaders for their presence and their efforts toward peace. When it came to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the conversation took an awkward turn.
He paused to comment on Meloni’s appearance, called her “beautiful” and openly questioned whether such a compliment would offend her.
“We have a woman, a young woman who I’m not allowed to say it because it’s usually the end of your political career if you say she’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump said.
He added, “But I’ll take my chances,” before turning to face Meloni directly. “There she is. You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? ’Cause you are. Thank you very much for coming. Appreciate it.”
The exchange captured in a widely shared video quickly sparked discussions online.
Some viewers noted that Meloni’s reaction seemed polite but restrained. They suggested she may not have been entirely comfortable with the comment.
Others pointed out the casual sexism in Trump’s remark which framed a woman’s physical appearance as noteworthy in a political setting.
Trump continued to praise Meloni for her leadership, called her an “incredible leader” and highlighted her conservative values.
He positioned her within a broader global movement of patriotism. But the brief detour into personal commentary remained the main talking point on social media.
Meloni, the first female prime minister of Italy, the moment seemed to pass without visible offense, though the clip fueled debates about gender and politics on the international stage, media reported.
