Giorgia Meloni’s Eye-Roll at White House Summit Goes Viral, Namaste Greeting and #Melodi Bond Steal Spotlight
Washington, August 19, 2025-Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni once again proved why she is one of Europe’s most talked-about leaders. At a high-stakes multilateral summit hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, Meloni’s candid expression stole the spotlight when she rolled her eyes at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s remarks — a moment that quickly went viral online.
The meeting, attended by European Union leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was aimed at shaping a joint approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, it was Meloni’s unfiltered reaction that became the internet’s talking point.
The Viral Eye-Roll Moment
As Chancellor Merz called on President Trump to push Russia for a ceasefire instead of pursuing a full peace agreement, cameras caught Meloni visibly rolling her eyes. The clip spread across social media platforms within minutes, sparking a wave of memes and commentary.
One user posted: “Giorgia Meloni’s priceless eye-roll says it all! She’s clearly not buying into Chancellor Merz’s ceasefire idea, and Trump shutting him down is the icing on the cake.” Another remarked, “She’s the queen of wearing her feelings on her face.”
The viral moment underscored the growing divide in European positions on the war. While Germany has been advocating for temporary de-escalation through a ceasefire, Italy under Meloni has consistently called for a comprehensive peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Namaste at the White House
Meloni’s viral moment wasn’t her only headline from the summit. Upon arrival, the Italian leader greeted Monica Crowley, the US Chief of Protocol, with a folded-hands Indian namaste. The gesture, often used by Meloni at global forums, was noted as a symbol of warmth and cultural respect.
She had previously used the gesture at the G7 Summit in Italy, where she welcomed world leaders with the same greeting. Videos from that event, particularly her interactions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were widely circulated online.
The Rise of #Melodi
Her easy rapport with Prime Minister Modi has spawned the viral hashtag #Melodi — a blend of Meloni and Modi. The two leaders’ friendly interactions at the G7 in Italy and later at COP28 in Dubai, where Meloni even posted a selfie captioned “Good friends at COP28, #Melodi”, have turned into a recurring social media highlight.
The White House summit reignited chatter around the hashtag, with users drawing parallels between her warm diplomacy and her sharp political instincts.
A Strong Stand on Peace
Beyond the lighter moments, Meloni delivered a firm message at the summit. Addressing President Trump, she declared:
“If we want to achieve peace and ensure justice, we must do it together. We stand with Ukraine.”
Her remarks reflected rare unity among European leaders, as even centrist French President Emmanuel Macron and conservative-leaning Meloni aligned in backing a peace roadmap.
Calling the meeting “an important day, a new phase,” Meloni added: “Something is changing — something has changed — thanks to you.” She suggested that after three years of deadlock, new diplomatic space was emerging under Trump’s leadership.
A Leader in the Spotlight
From rolling her eyes at Germany’s proposal to promoting India-inspired gestures, Meloni demonstrated her trademark blend of bluntness and symbolism. For critics, her expressions reflect immaturity; for admirers, they show authenticity in a world of polished diplomacy.
Either way, the Italian leader continues to dominate headlines, blending hard politics with viral moments — whether through an eye-roll, a namaste, or the growing #Melodi friendship.