Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Pool
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, UK News, US News, Israel
Ben Williams
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, UK News, US News, Israel
It was meant to be a moment of unity and diplomacy, but instead, Trump turned a peace summit in Egypt into one of the most awkward encounters in recent political memory for Keir Starmer — at least according to the internet.
When world leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh to mark what Donald Trump called a ‘historic agreement’ aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas, cameras were rolling, and expectations were high. The event should have been a proud display of global cooperation, but for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, things didn’t exactly go to plan, adding to his earlier awkward reaction to Trump back in July..
The Prime Minister had traveled to Egypt to attend the signing ceremony of Trump’s much-hyped Middle East peace deal, hoping to show Britain’s support for the initiative. But what unfolded in front of the world’s media was more humiliation than headline-grabbing diplomacy.
Trump, who had just flown in after meeting freed hostages in Israel, arrived fashionably late, and what happened next set social media alight.
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During his lengthy speech, the US President began calling out countries alphabetically to join him on stage, starting with Paraguay and Norway. Meanwhile, Starmer was left waiting quietly in the background.
The former US president eventually turned and asked: “Where is the United Kingdom? Come here,” prompting the Prime Minister to raise his hand and make his way forward.
Trying to inject a bit of humor into the stiff atmosphere, Starmer quipped: “Behind you as usual.”
The two men shook hands and exchanged politely, starting with Trump asking: “Is everything going good?”
Starmer replied: “Very good.”
Then, in a moment that’s since gone viral, Trump turned his back and continued talking. Starmer, left without an invitation to speak, quietly returned to his place among the world leaders as the cameras kept rolling. Footage of the exchange quickly spread online, and people didn’t hold back.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) said: “I've lost count of how many times Trump has humiliated Starmer this year, but this is by far the best. After listing a multitude of countries, the only person he invites to the podium is Starmer – and then brushes him off and sends him packing. Brutal.”
Another shared their takeaways, saying: “President Trump pretty much forgot that Keir Starmer was there, he then thought he was going to speak, the look on his face before he walked back. He did nothing and deserved no praise.”
Later on, Starmer tried to put a more positive spin on things by sharing the above photo of the handshake online, captioned: “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.”