Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security under Donald Trump, has recounted a bizarre incident at the 2018 G7 summit in Canada, describing how Trump flicked a Starburst sweet at then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Taylor called the gesture 'petulant and weirdly revealing,' offering insight into Trump's diplomatic style.
Summit preparations revealed reluctance
Writing in The i, Taylor said he was in the White House Situation Room preparing for the summit when it became clear Trump showed little enthusiasm for attending. Advisers persuaded him not to boycott, but Taylor worried his attendance might be worse. 'The US President was pouting. He didn't want to go. Aides had talked him out of skipping the summit, but my worry was that his attendance might actually be worse,' Taylor wrote.
Trump's behaviour at the summit
Taylor's fears were quickly validated. Trump arrived late, lectured allies about trade, and then flicked a Starburst across the table at Merkel. 'Here, Angela. Don't say I never give you anything,' Trump said, according to Taylor. The former official described the act as both childish and revealing, indicating it showed Trump's approach to diplomatic relationships.
Trump left early and later withdrew support for the joint communiqué he had agreed to. He also attacked Canadian host Justin Trudeau, calling him 'very dishonest and weak,' and advocated for Russia's return to the G7, despite Moscow's expulsion years earlier.
Parallels to Russian interests
Taylor said Trump's conduct was so aligned with Russian interests that 'It was as if Putin himself had drafted his talking points.' The recollections come as Trump faces fresh controversy over another G7 summit, where he publicly criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming she persistently requested a photo with him. Meloni denied the allegation, calling it 'completely fabricated,' leading Italy's foreign minister to cancel a planned trip to the US.
