Hot mics catch lighter exchanges among G7 leaders
AP reported that summit microphones picked up side chatter on smoking, sports, Greenland and gifts as leaders met on war and trade.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Microphones at the G7 summit captured world leaders trading casual remarks about cigarettes, soccer, Greenland and misplaced belongings while they gathered for talks on war and trade, the Associated Press reported. The overheard exchanges offered a rare informal view of leaders whose public sessions were focused on major global disputes and economic issues.
According to AP, the moments came as leaders moved through a lakeside resort and into conference rooms set up for formal summit business. The open microphones recorded conversations before and around meetings among leaders from the world’s richest democracies.
Meloni’s smoking update draws praise
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that she had not smoked since May 1, AP reported. Merz had asked whether she had already had a cigarette that morning.
AP reported that leaders from Canada, Britain, Japan and the European Union congratulated Meloni after the exchange. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney then asked whether she was using a patch, while gesturing toward his arm, according to AP.
Sports talk breaks through
Soccer also surfaced in the side conversations as the World Cup continued in the United States, Mexico and Canada, AP reported. During a lunch gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron and others discussed the sport, and one person was heard using the French team’s chant, “Allez les bleus,” according to AP.
AP reported that another leader mentioned Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League win. U.S. President Donald Trump also spoke about the UFC cage-match event he hosted at the White House on Sunday, where AP said he sat ringside on his 80th birthday and praised UFC CEO Dana White.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer brought up Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain, the reigning World Cup champion, AP reported. Starmer called the result “quite remarkable,” according to AP.
A Greenland remark and a missing watch
Trump was also recorded speaking with European Council President António Costa in a brief exchange whose full context was unclear, AP reported. According to AP, Trump said, “You understand?” before pausing, looking at Costa and saying, “Greenland.”
AP noted that European officials have objected to Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. The recording did not make clear what came before or after Trump’s remark, according to AP.
Macron later appeared to leave his watch behind after a working lunch, AP reported. Carney pointed it out to the group, saying Macron had left it there, and Trump joked that it should be given to him if Macron had gone, drawing laughter, according to AP.
Gift diplomacy includes a bike and a jersey
The summit also included gift exchanges, AP reported. Macron gave personalized bicycles to the other G7 leaders to promote the Cycling World Championships planned for next year in the French Alps, according to David Lappartient, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale, who posted about the gifts on social media.
AP reported that there was no recorded hot-mic reaction from Trump, who is not known for cycling and has joked about doing little exercise beyond frequent golf. Merz also gave Trump a German national soccer team jersey with Trump’s name and the number 47, according to AP.
Trump held up the jersey and smiled for a photo before putting it aside, AP reported. Merz later posted a photo of the exchange and wrote, “After all, we’re on the same team,” according to AP.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.