Italian PM Meloni Fires Back at Erdogan: 'I May Kill Someone if I Quit Smoking'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made headlines at the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit when she joked she "might kill someone" if she quit smoking. The comment came after Turkish President Erdogan urged her to stop smoking, creating a lighthearted moment among world leaders that highlights the personal dynamics at high-stakes diplomatic gatherings.

The exchange happened during a side meeting at Monday's peace summit in Egypt. Erdogan told Meloni, "You look great, but I have to force you to quit smoking," while British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron looked on laughing.

Macron chimed in with a laugh, saying "That's impossible."

Meloni's response was equally candid: "I know, I know, I don't want to kill anyone."

The 48-year-old Italian leader recently revealed in a book that she started smoking again after quitting for 13 years. Her honest admission about the difficulty of quitting resonates with millions who struggle with similar habits, even at the highest levels of government.

But Erdogan wasn't the only leader making personal comments about Meloni at the summit. US President Donald Trump also drew attention when he called her "beautiful" during his speech.

"I'm not supposed to say that, because usually your career ends if you say that, but she's a beautiful woman," Trump said. The 79-year-old president then looked around for Meloni, adding, "I'll take the risk. Where is she? Does it bother you if I say you're beautiful? Because it's true."

Trump followed up by praising her political achievements: "She's highly respected in Italy. She's a very successful politician."

Meloni, who was standing directly behind him, simply smiled in response.

The moment was particularly notable because Meloni was the only woman among roughly 30 world leaders at the summit, co-hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

These personal exchanges, while seemingly trivial, offer a glimpse into how international diplomacy often involves navigating personal relationships alongside complex political negotiations. For Meloni, who has built her career on being direct and uncompromising, her candid responses show a leader comfortable with both humor and honesty on the world stage.

The smoking comment also reflects a broader reality many leaders face - the personal costs of high-stress political positions, where even basic lifestyle choices become public talking points.