Trump Claims He and Egyptian Leader El Sisi 'Fell in Love' at G7 Summit

During the G7 summit in France on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump expressed his deep admiration for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, claiming they "fell in love" when they first met during the 2016 campaign. Speaking while seated next to Sisi, the 80-year-old Trump recalled meeting the Egyptian leader at a hotel early in his campaign against Hillary Clinton, describing the encounter as transformative for their relationship.

Trump recounted that Sisi predicted his victory and refused to meet with Clinton, saying "You're going to win, I don't want to meet her." Trump emphasized the strength of their bond, stating "We had great chemistry, and I stayed twice as long as I was supposed to." The former president noted that meeting Sisi remained significant to him, though less so than before he ran for office.

Sisi has maintained a long-standing alliance with Trump, dating back to the 2017 photograph of Trump, Melania Trump, Sisi, and Saudi Arabian King Salman touching a glowing orb during Trump's first presidential term. The Egyptian leader has continued to support Trump's policies in the Middle East during subsequent years.

However, Sisi's record has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. Multiple groups have accused the Egyptian president of employing torture, forced disappearances, and discrimination against the LGBTQ community, though these concerns were not mentioned in Trump's remarks at the summit.