Trump has Iraqi PM Ali Al-Zaidi grinning ear to ear after calling him 'handsome' during White House meeting

Before their bilateral talks, President Trump and Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi made a brief appearance in the White House colonnade, where Trump stopped to answer questions from reporters as Al-Zaidi waited nearby. For Al-Zaidi, the visit was among his most prominent engagements in Washington, highlighting the administration's effort to reinforce its relationship with Iraq amid continuing regional challenges.

The exchange took place as President Trump and Al-Zaidi convened in the Oval Office with senior officials from both countries for talks on regional security, economic cooperation and the future of US-Iraq relations. But before discussions turned to policy, Trump set a relaxed tone with an impromptu compliment directed at Al-Zaidi. Introducing the Iraqi prime minister, Trump smiled and said, “He’s young and handsome, which doesn’t make me happy.” The comment prompted laughter from those assembled in the Oval Office, including Al-Zaidi, who broke into a broad grin before thanking the president.

Photographs from the meeting showed moments of cordiality between President Trump and Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, including a ceremonial exchange of gifts in the Oval Office. Al-Zaidi presented Trump with a detailed model aircraft before the two leaders spoke briefly with reporters. They were seen exchanging smiles as members of their delegations looked on.

Although the meeting centered on official business, it was Trump's unscripted remark that drew the most attention. Photographs from the Oval Office captured the exchange, from the president's lighthearted introduction of Al-Zaidi to the Iraqi leader's smiling response, offering a glimpse of an informal moment during an otherwise formal diplomatic engagement.