<p>The year 2025 saw several summits and meetings between world leaders, and certain moments from some of them went viral on the internet. These short instances caught on camera proved that diplomacy no longer lives only in communiqués and closed rooms but rather unfolded in glances, jokes, awkward pauses and unscripted remarks.</p><p>From summit stages to airport tarmacs, these were the world-leader moments that escaped protocol and took over the internet.</p><h2><strong>Elon Musk</strong></h2><p>Elon Musk set the tone early in the year. When the tech billionaire arrived at a political gathering on April 30, 2025, wearing not one but two hats during the first cabinet meeting of the Trump administration. The images spread rapidly, with users joking about divided loyalties, mixed messages and Musk’s now-familiar taste for spectacle.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elon Musk wearing two hats on top of each other in the Cabinet meeting with Donald Trump:<br><br>&quot;They say I wear a lot of hats, and as you can see, it&#39;s true. Even my hat has a hat.&quot;<br><br>Is he on something? <a href="https://t.co/f7FiOhDCII">pic.twitter.com/f7FiOhDCII</a></p>&mdash; Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArtCandee/status/1917621932666610113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Trump-Zelensky-Putin</strong></h2><p>By late February, the focus had shifted to geopolitics. On February 28, 2025, a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky produced one of the most replayed diplomatic clips of the year. Long silences, tight expressions and a visible lack of warmth turned the encounter into a viral case study of tension — and a magnet for memes.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vance: Have you said thank you once? <br><br>Zelenskyy: You think if you speak very loudly—<br><br>Trump: He’s not speaking loudly. You’ve done a lot of talking. You’re not winning this <a href="https://t.co/32wEHc4Pk6">pic.twitter.com/32wEHc4Pk6</a></p>&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1895531921456972130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Zelensky later went viral for an entirely different reason. In another meeting with Trump on August 18, 2025, where he wore a suit, a reporter questioned his attire. Zelensky’s quick response drew laughter in the room and admiration online. “I changed, you did not,” he said, reinforcing his reputation for mixing gravity with wit even amid war.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reporter tells Zelensky he “looks fabulous in that suit.”<br><br>Trump: “That’s the reporter who attacked you last time.”<br>Zelensky: “I remember… You’re in the same suit. I changed. You did not.” <a href="https://t.co/00jS02f7W6">pic.twitter.com/00jS02f7W6</a></p>&mdash; Truth Seeker (@mib_63) <a href="https://twitter.com/mib_63/status/1957850469973344361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>On August 15, Trump’s show of force went viral on social media when a US B-2 bomber was flown overhead by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who came to Alaska for a summit with him. The same B-2 bombers were used in US strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites earlier in June amid tensions over its nuclear program. In another clip, Putin was also making animated expressions as US reporters screamed questions at him.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump just flew a B-2 stealth bomber over Putin’s head…<br><br>Absolutely incredible. <a href="https://t.co/2bsnssRv9f">pic.twitter.com/2bsnssRv9f</a></p>&mdash; Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) <a href="https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/1956435809189478527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at Putin&#39;s face when American reporters start screaming questions at him. <a href="https://t.co/omvH1gP0sM">pic.twitter.com/omvH1gP0sM</a></p>&mdash; Brian McDonald (@27khv) <a href="https://twitter.com/27khv/status/1956453750597386258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>G7 Summit</strong></h2><p>The G7 summit in mid-June provided its own share of viral content. Trump clumsily announced a trade deal with the ‘European Union’, when he meant to say the UK. He also dropped the documents while speaking to reporters at the G7 summit alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump is totally losing it. Confusing the UK with the EU, saying: “We have a trade agreement with the European Union.” 🤡 Bro, Brexit happened a long time ago. <a href="https://t.co/1cdmw9R7be">pic.twitter.com/1cdmw9R7be</a></p>&mdash; Mario (@PawlowskiMario) <a href="https://twitter.com/PawlowskiMario/status/1934757654364143703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Cameras caught Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rolling her eyes when French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to her during a group interaction. The subtle moment became instant meme material, proving that even the smallest gestures can overshadow policy.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING from G-7: <br><br>This is the moment when Macron tells Meloni that the local 🤡 entered the global room.<br><br>The face of the Italian Prime Minister says it all. <a href="https://t.co/jNSznP4GJQ">pic.twitter.com/jNSznP4GJQ</a></p>&mdash; Mario (@PawlowskiMario) <a href="https://twitter.com/PawlowskiMario/status/1934691113253888215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>At a Middle East Summit in Egypt aimed at a Gaza ceasefire, Trump referred to Meloni as “beautiful” during his address – a comment that drew praise from some, criticism from others, and guaranteed widespread circulation.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump calls Italian Prime Minister Meloni &quot;beautiful&quot; and says calling a woman beautiful in the U.S. is the &quot;end of your political career.&quot;<br><br>&quot;I&#39;ll take my chances.&quot;😂 <a href="https://t.co/nNdpaIhfd9">pic.twitter.com/nNdpaIhfd9</a></p>&mdash; Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1977787015740658082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>In another clip, Trump mentioned Starmer, who came forward only to be ignored by the US President. The UK PM was seen awkwardly going back to his previous position, with the clip going viral.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Awkward‼️Keir Starmer thinks Trump is inviting him to speak at Gaza peace summit - but is SNUBBED and sent packing 🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/AmXSh2YH2s">pic.twitter.com/AmXSh2YH2s</a></p>&mdash; Peter Lloyd (@Suffragent_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suffragent_/status/1977854726818676857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>During the summit, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, drawing a reaction from Meloni, who was standing right behind them. The clip went viral as social media users caught her expressions.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">watch Meloni as Pakistan&#39;s Sharif fluffs Trump for next year&#39;s Nobel <a href="https://t.co/yZxQt4o2IZ">pic.twitter.com/yZxQt4o2IZ</a></p>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1977788284664185022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>NATO chief calls Trump ‘daddy’</strong></h2><p>One of the year’s most unexpected viral moments came in June, when NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte referred to Trump as “Daddy” during public remarks. The comment stunned viewers and instantly became a global meme, eclipsing the serious context of the meeting.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 LMAO! The NATO Chief just called President Trump “Daddy” following his f-bomb drop<br><br>47 runs this show 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/WRv2HYBOh9">pic.twitter.com/WRv2HYBOh9</a></p>&mdash; Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1937864614995238957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Macron slapped by wife</strong></h2><p>In May, France found itself at the centre of a very different kind of viral storm. In a viral clip, French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife Brigitte is seen pushing his face away when they arrived in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi. Macron denied any claims of “domestic dispute”, saying that they were “joking as we often do” and noting that other videos had been misinterpreted.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN: 🇫🇷 French President Macron&#39;s wife slaps him in face. <a href="https://t.co/Cl9idDeWz0">pic.twitter.com/Cl9idDeWz0</a></p>&mdash; BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1926922871932137780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Trump faces malfunctions at UN</strong></h2><p>During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Trump faced two malfunctions – his teleprompter glitched, and the escalator stopped when he and his wife, Melania, stepped on it. The US president complained about both during his speech at the New York headquarters of the UN. Trump joked that whoever was in charge of operating the equipment was “in big trouble.”</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Are the United Nations Trolling Trump?<br><br>Watch as moments ago President Trump &amp; Melania step on to this escalator only for it to immediately stop working.<br><br>After this Trumps Teleprompter failed straight away as he began to make his speech ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/Y0zhHXcDfP">pic.twitter.com/Y0zhHXcDfP</a></p>&mdash; Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGatesIsaPyscho/status/1970496315537670604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#39;Whoever&#39;s operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,&#39; says US President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DonaldTrump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DonaldTrump</a> after the tele-prompter fails to work at the beginning of his address the UNGA.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA</a> <a href="https://t.co/kam139VTxp">pic.twitter.com/kam139VTxp</a></p>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1970505715400769984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Modi-Putin-Xi at SCO Summit</strong></h2><p>Clips from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in September also went viral, showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping laughing together. In a second clip, Modi and Putin were seen walking past Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, completely ignoring him, sparking memes.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch: Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif looks on as PM Modi, Russian President Putin walks past him at the SCO summit <a href="https://t.co/aqIMQBuI6v">pic.twitter.com/aqIMQBuI6v</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1962345522066321526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">More visuals from SCO summit: Modi, Putin camaraderie as both later meet Chinese President Xi Jinping <a href="https://t.co/DAd3DQIaAs">pic.twitter.com/DAd3DQIaAs</a></p>&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1962358462752387229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

From summit stages to airport tarmacs, these were the world-leader moments that escaped protocol and took over the internet.

The year 2025 saw several summits and meetings between world leaders, and certain moments from some of them went viral on the internet. These short instances caught on camera proved that diplomacy no longer lives only in communiqués and closed rooms but rather unfolded in glances, jokes, awkward pauses and unscripted remarks. From summit stages to airport tarmacs, these were the world-leader moments that escaped protocol and took over the internet. Elon Musk Elon Musk set the tone early in the year. When the tech billionaire arrived at a political gathering on April 30, 2025, wearing not one but two hats during the first cabinet meeting of the Trump administration. The images spread rapidly, with users joking about divided loyalties, mixed messages and Musk’s now-familiar taste for spectacle.

<p>From summit stages to airport tarmacs, these were the world-leader moments that escaped protocol and took over the internet.</p>

WATCH | Viral moments from 2025 world diplomacy that took over internet

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WATCH | Viral moments from 2025 world diplomacy that took over internet