Giorgia Meloni Jokes About Violence Over Cigarette Addiction at Summit

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lightened the atmosphere at the recent Gaza Peace Summit held in Egypt by joking about her struggle with smoking. During an interaction with world leaders, Meloni humorously suggested that quitting cigarettes could lead her to violent behavior. “I don’t want to kill someone,” she quipped, in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘s translator, who urged her to stop smoking.

While acknowledging the health risks associated with smoking, Meloni’s comments reflected a candid moment amid serious discussions on global peace. “I know, I know,” she said, appearing to accept the habit’s drawbacks while maintaining her trademark wit. At 48 years old, Meloni has openly admitted to resuming smoking after successfully quitting for 13 years, as reported by il Giornale.

Lighthearted Exchanges Among World Leaders

The lighthearted exchange about smoking seemed to resonate with other leaders present at the summit. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined in the laughter prompted by Erdogan’s light-hearted plea regarding Meloni’s smoking habits. Macron himself remarked that quitting is “impossible,” reflecting a shared understanding among the leaders regarding the challenges of breaking such habits.

Meloni has noted that her smoking habit has served as a bridge to connect with other world leaders, highlighting her camaraderie with Tunisian President Kais Saied, who is also a smoker. This commonality appears to foster a sense of unity in informal settings, even as the leaders address pressing global issues.

Praise and Political Connections

The summit also featured remarks from former US President Donald Trump, who praised Meloni’s appearance. Speaking on October 13, 2023, he described her as a “beautiful young woman,” a comment he noted typically carries political risk in the United States. “Now 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 declared, eliciting laughter among attendees.

Meloni and Trump share similar political ideologies, which has contributed to a positive rapport between them. Trump has previously described Meloni as a “fantastic woman,” reinforcing the ties between their respective political positions.

This blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and political camaraderie showcased a lighter side of international diplomacy, highlighting how personal connections can emerge even in serious discussions. As world leaders navigate complex issues, moments of levity, such as those exhibited by Meloni, remind observers of the human element inherent in political interactions.