Dinner at Versailles, alpine air and an Iran agreement: How Trump made it through another G7

Dinner at Versailles, Alpine Air, and an Iran Agreement: How Trump Navigated the G7 Summit

Dinner at Versailles alpine air - Donald Trump’s attendance at the Group of 7 summit this week marked his first time in two presidencies without derailing the event. While he grumbled about the heat in the meeting room and quipped about being late to a session, claiming he was the boss of his counterparts, the summit’s host, French President Emmanuel Macron, was overheard on a hot mic referring to the informal first-night dinner with Trump as a “difficult discussion.” Yet, Trump stayed the full course, avoiding the early exit he had in Canada last year, which was a notable victory for Macron, who had orchestrated the lakeside summit to keep Trump committed for the entire duration.

A Symbol of Power and Persistence

Despite his trademark brashness, Trump’s endorsement of a firm statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine signaled a shift. The language in the joint declaration, which included “unwavering support” for Kyiv, was praised by his peers, a contrast to his habit of tearing up agreements after past summits. The atmosphere of the summit, perhaps influenced by the alpine air or the sense of accomplishment from the Iran deal, may have contributed to this more measured approach. The deal, which Trump called “the real deal,” was highlighted as a breakthrough by leaders, though its implementation remained a topic of debate.

“Louis XIV’s symbol of regal excess (and, eventually, revolutionary class resentment) is ‘not gold leaf,’ Trump explained this week, but the ‘real deal.’

The summit’s closing evening saw Trump arrive at the checkerboard marble courtyard at 10 p.m., the French dinner hour. He was greeted with a bise on both cheeks by Brigitte Macron, a gesture Trump had previously criticized as unfair. “This is so beautiful,” he remarked after admiring the classical facade with its gilded dormers, adding, “Brigitte is an amazing woman.” The menu, by French standards, featured black pork from Bigorre, asparagus from the Loire, poultry from Bourbonnais, and a local cheese platter. Trump’s table for three, positioned in the Lower Gallery, was flanked by statues commissioned by the Sun King himself.

Global Presence and Changing Dynamics

Trump has now participated in five G7 summits (or six, including the 2020 virtual event during the pandemic). His role as a senior member of the exclusive club has altered the tone of his recent diplomatic engagements. While most leaders were elected within the past few years, only Macron had attended as many summits as Trump. This shift in status, combined with his advancing age, was evident this week. After a 2 a.m. Monday departure from Washington following his 80th birthday UFC match on the White House South Lawn, Trump arrived at the Hôtel Royal with a hoarse voice after an overnight flight. Over the next two days, he engaged in lengthy meetings with individual leaders, fielding repeated questions throughout the day.

By the time of the summit’s 70-minute press conference, Trump appeared visibly and audibly fatigued. Behind the scenes, however, he was assertive in defending the Iran agreement to his peers, framing it as a significant achievement for both the U.S. and its allies. Tensions occasionally flared during meetings, including a one-on-one with Macron on the day of his arrival. Still, leaders extended praise for the deal, noting its potential to resolve a European energy crisis that had impacted the continent more than the U.S.

“I think it’s a gamechanger,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had been engaging in diplomatic sparring with Trump throughout the year, told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “This allows us to reassess Ukraine with fresh perspective.”