Donald Trump said he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi "fell deeply in love" during a meeting in France [1].
The comments highlight Trump's approach to international diplomacy, which often prioritizes personal chemistry and rapport with foreign leaders over traditional institutional protocols.
Trump made the remarks during the G7 summit held in Bordeaux, France, from June 11-13, 2024 [1, 2]. While discussing his relationship with the Egyptian leader, Trump recalled a meeting at a hotel that took place early in his 2016 campaign [1].
"I met him early in the campaign when Crooked Hillary and I were running against each other," Trump said [3]. He described the interaction as a moment where el-Sisi expressed confidence that Trump would win the election and indicated a reluctance to meet with Hillary Clinton [1].
Trump used the anecdote to contrast his personal connection with el-Sisi against the rapport of his political opponents. According to reports, he said, "We fell in love, deeply in love" [1]. Other accounts of the phrasing indicate he said, "I fell deeply in love with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi" [4].
At the time of these comments, Trump was 80 years old [3]. The exchange took place during a press meeting at the summit, where Trump said the meeting with the Egyptian president was too good to leave [1].
This focus on personal affection as a diplomatic tool has been a recurring theme in Trump's interactions with various global heads of state, often framing geopolitical alliances through the lens of individual friendship.
“"We fell in love, deeply in love."”
The use of romanticized language to describe a diplomatic relationship is unconventional in international relations. By framing his bond with el-Sisi as 'love,' Trump signals a preference for transactional and personal loyalty over formal diplomatic channels, while simultaneously using the anecdote to diminish the perceived international standing of his domestic political rivals.
