When two world leaders meet on a red carpet, you’d expect diplomatic smiles and cordial pleasantries, but when Donald Trump extended his hand to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, her face told a completely different story than the one their handlers probably hoped for.
The encounter took place at the Middle East peace summit in Egypt, where global leaders gathered to witness the ceasefire agreement signing, and quickly became the talk of social media after footage captured the awkward exchange between the two political leaders.
Meloni, dressed in a lavender pantsuit, approached the U.S. President, who sported his signature blue suit and oversized red tie.
Instead of a diplomatic greeting, cameras caught every uncomfortable second as Trump launched into small talk while Meloni’s expression shifted from polite acknowledgment to what many viewers interpreted as barely concealed exasperation.
The body language spoke volumes.
As Trump continued his remarks, Meloni appeared to roll her eyes before fixing a blank stare toward the cameras. She eventually squared her body to face the press team, forcing what some observers interpreted as a painful smile as the president initiated his notorious dominance handshake — the same grip-and-yank technique he’s deployed with other world leaders.
BREAKING: Italian Prime Minister GIORGIA MELONI just met President Trump in Egypt
SO MANY countries are participating in the Middle East peace summit because they know what Trump has done is historic.
Italy is a great ally!
pic.twitter.com/cY5hX9oVQN
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 13, 2025
Social media wasted no time dissecting the interaction.
“What did she mean by this?” one person questioned on X, sharing a screenshot of Meloni’s facial expression during the greeting.
Another observer was more direct: “She pulled away like she was about to puke.”
The commentary ranged from concerned to amused, with one user pleading, “Let her go mate. Poor woman looks terrified.”
— lemo/ 20
(@fitratollah) October 13, 2025
Others focused on Trump’s technique itself, with someone pointing out, “He even yanks women’s hands when he shakes them lol?” while another simply summarized, “This was cringeworthy. Meloni was not amused.”
The far-right Italian prime minister was the only female leader among the 30 world leaders who gathered at the summit on stage, where Trump shared some choice words for her during his speech about peace efforts.
“I’m not allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say it — she’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump stated about Meloni, according to France24. “If you use the word ‘beautiful’ in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career, but I’ll take my chances.”
He turned his back to the crowd and asked Meloni: “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are.”
Her face was hidden by Trump’s back, so it’s unclear how she responded to Trump’s remarks in the moment, according to the outlet. After seeing the video footage, “We are so sorry Ms. Meloni, we are embarrassed. Thank you for being so gracious about his boorish behaviour.”
"You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are."
Trump gushes over Italian PM @GiorgiaMeloni's looks during Egypt peace summit pic.twitter.com/wzb378uEcd
— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) October 13, 2025
But this wasn’t the first time he’s used his aggressive handshake in another power play move.
The technique has become something of a trademark, one that psychology professor Geoff Beattie once described as weaponizing what a gesture of peace should be into an opening move for dominance should be. The strategy involves pulling recipients forward into his personal space while simultaneously unbalancing them to create psychological advantage.
Trump famously subjected former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to a 19-second marathon handshake that included repeated hand pats, which experts interpreted as dominance signals rather than friendly gestures.
But not every leader has played along. During a summit in Alaska, Trump attempted his signature move with Vladimir Putin, only to find the Russian president had come prepared. Putin planted his feet and locked his posture, creating an immovable force that left Trump unable to complete his trademark maneuver — a moment that became its own viral sensation.
Trump again tried to do that bullshit Power handshake and putin was aware of it
— Charlie (@Charlie140962) August 15, 2025
For her part, Meloni has navigated her relationship with Trump carefully in public forums.
Before Trump took office for his second term in January, she diplomatically downplayed his controversial statements about potentially using military force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal, suggesting his words were actually aimed at warning China and other global powers rather than representing genuine hostile intent, according to PBS.
As footage of the handshake continues circulating online, it serves as yet another reminder that in the world of high-stakes diplomacy, sometimes the most honest reactions are the ones leaders can’t quite hide — even when the cameras are rolling and the whole world is watching.