At the NATO summit on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was captured on camera rolling her eyes as US President Joe Biden arrived late, sparking widespread criticism of the White House’s tardiness. The incident occurred during a high-stakes press conference where Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delayed their presence, leaving Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb visibly frustrated.
The video, which has since gone viral, shows Meloni theatrically checking her nonexistent watch as the clock ticked past the scheduled 10 a.m. start time. Reports indicate that Biden left the White House approximately 20 minutes after the event was supposed to begin, which might explain Meloni’s exasperation.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni rolls eyes and checks imaginary watch waiting for Biden’s arrival at NATO Summit. https://t.co/AsPgdAMTct pic.twitter.com/IstPSW5xBm
— New York Post (@nypost) July 11, 2024
This isn’t the first time Meloni has gained attention for her reactions at international gatherings. During the G7 summit, she was noted for guiding a seemingly distracted and lost Biden back to the group. In the new video, Meloni appears thoroughly unimpressed, rolling her eyes and frowning as the delay continued. At one point, another individual joined the conversation between Meloni and Stubb, prompting the Finnish President to check his phone for the time. Meloni’s visible displeasure was evident, even though the video did not capture any audible conversation.
Social media buzzed with rumors that Meloni might have been mimicking Biden’s actions before deciding against it. This incident adds to her repertoire of memorable moments, reminiscent of her iconic eye roll during a G7 handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron.
As the footage continues to circulate online, it remains to be seen how this will impact future diplomatic interactions and discussions about punctuality and organization at high-profile international meetings. The video has fueled further discussions about the respect and coordination expected in such settings, with many expressing disappointments in the perceived lack of respect for other leaders’ time.