The leaders of the world’s richest democracies are talking about how to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems this week, but hot mics at the G7 summit revealed that conversations also covered lighter fare. Sports. Cigarettes. The weather. And something about Greenland?
As world leaders made their way into conference rooms at a lakeside resort, microphones set up for their weighty discussions about war and trade often caught off-the-cuff banter.
Meloni quit smoking
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s smoking habits were the subject of a hot-mic moment on Tuesday (June 16, 2026). Asked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz if she had already had a cigarette that morning, Ms. Meloni revealed that she hadn’t smoked “since the first of May.”
Her turn against tobacco prompted enthusiastic congratulations from leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union. Ms. Meloni raised her hands in celebration. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had a question for her.
“Do you have a patch?” Mr. Carney asked, grabbing his own arm.
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Sports talk includes ‘Allez les blues!’
With the World Cup underway in the United States, Mexico and Canada, football naturally became a fallback of discussion.
As leaders gathered for lunch, French President Emmanuel Macron and others weighed in. Someone shouted “Allez les bleus,” the cheer for the French team. Another leader can be heard talking about the recent Champions League victory by Paris-Saint Germain.
U.S. President Donald Trump turned attention to the UFC cage-match event he hosted at the White House on Sunday (June 14). Mr. Trump, who sat ringside on his 80th birthday, spoke glowingly about Dana White, the CEO of UFC.
At another point in the day, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer effused about Cape Verde’s surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup champion Spain. “Quite remarkable, I have to say,” he said.
President Donald Trump, right, and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, second from right, watch as other leaders greet each other before a group photo at the G7 summit on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
| Photo Credit:
AP
Trump makes a cryptic Greenland reference
In a moment of intrigue, Mr. Trump was caught on microphone talking with European Council President António Costa.
“You understand?” Mr. Trump said before pausing and looking squarely at Mr. Costa. “Greenland.” The start and end of the conversation was unclear.
European politicians have been outraged by Mr. Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark.
Macron loses track of time — literally
Later, Mr. Trump added some levity after Mr. Macron appeared to have left his watch behind when he departed the group’s working lunch. Mr. Carney drew attention to it, saying, “He’s left his watch here. We’ve got his watch.” “Give me it if he left, gimme,” Mr. Trump chimed in, drawing laughs from the group.
Trump gets a jersey for his birthday, and a bike
The day brought a few instances of gift-giving diplomacy.
Mr. Macron gave all seven of his counterparts personalised bicycles to promote the Cycling World Championships scheduled next year in the French Alps, according to David Lappartient, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale, on social media.
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, holds up a jersey with the number 47 on it as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz look on during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
| Photo Credit:
AP
There was no hot mic moment to detect the reaction of Mr. Trump, who is not known to bike and has joked about doing minimal exercise beyond regular golf outings.
Mr. Merz, who recently sparred with Mr. Trump over the war in Iran, presented Mr. Trump with a German national team football jersey bearing Mr. Trump’s name and the number 47. Mr. Trump raised it and smiled for a photo before setting it aside.
Mr. Merz posted a photo of the exchange on social media and offered a pointed message: “After all, we’re on the same team.”
Published – June 17, 2026 10:35 am IST