Trump earns laughs as hot mics at G7 summit capture leaders discussing lighter topics

Lead

As the leaders of the world's richest democracies gathered in Évian-les-Bains for the G7 summit, live microphones set up for their weighty discussions on trade and security also captured a series of lighter moments. According to multiple reports, the leaders were heard discussing sports, cigarettes, and even Greenland between formal sessions.

Coverage comparison

The summit's lighter side was widely covered across international media, with three outlets — ABC Australia, the South China Morning Post, and The Hindu — all reporting on the hot-mic moments. While the reports broadly agreed on the key details, each offered slightly different focal points.

ABC Australia's coverage highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump's quip "I'm the boss" as he entered a meeting late, and also noted his exchange about Greenland with European Council President António Costa. The South China Morning Post focused more heavily on the smoking exchange, reporting that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney asked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni if she had a nicotine patch. The Hindu's report combined both angles, describing the overall atmosphere of informal banter among the leaders.

Key claims

• G7 leaders were caught on microphones discussing lighter topics such as sports, cigarettes, and the weather, according to all three reports.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had not smoked "since the first of May" when asked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu. Her announcement drew congratulations from leaders of Canada, the UK, Japan, and the EU.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney asked Meloni if she had a nicotine patch, a remark reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
• President Trump proclaimed "I'm the boss" as he entered a session, a comment that reportedly earned laughs from the other leaders. This claim was included in ABC Australia's report; the other two outlets did not mention it.
• Trump also brought up Greenland in a conversation with António Costa, according to ABC Australia and The Hindu.
• French President Emmanuel Macron gave personalized bicycles to his counterparts to promote the Cycling World Championships, according to The Hindu's report; ABC Australia mentioned the bicycles but did not specify the purpose.

Perspectives

Observers might view these hot-mic moments as a humanizing glimpse of world leaders, showing them engaging in everyday topics despite the weighty issues on the summit's agenda. Others may see Trump's "I'm the boss" remark as characteristic of his negotiating style, while the Greenland exchange could be interpreted as a continuation of his interest in the territory. The reports themselves maintained an informal, humorous tone, steering clear of political analysis and focusing on the lighter side of the summit.