THIS is the moment Sir Keir Starmer was left red-faced on the world stage — after appearing to think Donald Trump was inviting him to give a speech, only to be brushed aside seconds later.
The PM had been standing just behind the US President in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, as Trump addressed world leaders and praised countries for their role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire.
Wrapping up his list, Trump looked over his shoulder and asked: “Where is United Kingdom, where is my friend, Starmer?”
Sir Keir replied: “I am right behind you as usual.”
The President then gestured him forward: “Come up here, is everything going good?”
Starmer stepped up, seemingly ready for a turn at the microphone, replying: “Very good.”
But before he could say more, Trump slid back in front and continued speaking: “It is very nice that you are here. These people all came on like 20-minute notice and I think it is fantastic.”
Left stranded and unsure, Sir Keir glanced around awkwardly before shuffling back to his spot beside Canadian PM Mark Carney, flashing a faint smile as the moment went viral.
Social media erupted with mockery.
One user wrote on X: “LMAO. Trump just invited Keir Starmer to the stage, letting him think he was inviting him to speak, only to spurn him and send him to the back! I love it!”
Another said: “It was epic how Trump embarrassed Keir Starmer on the world stage… Trump never forgets.”
The humiliation came moments after Trump had jokingly told leaders: “I have known so many of you for so long. You’re friends of mine, you great people. I have a couple I don’t like in particular but I won’t tell you who.”
Sir Keir later attempted to shift the focus back to substance, hailing a “really historic day” and saying the UK could help monitor the ceasefire and decommission Hamas’s weaponry “drawing on our experience in Northern Ireland.”
But critics accused him of trying to piggyback on Trump’s Gaza breakthrough — and even of turning up just for a “photo op” after recognising Palestine as a state last month.
Some even compared him to ex-footballer John Terry changing into full kit to lift the Champions League trophy despite not playing in the final.
Trump’s victory lap
Sir Keir’s awkward moment came amid Donald Trump’s triumphant Middle East tour — a high-profile victory lap celebrating a ceasefire many credit him with delivering.
Trump landed in Israel on Monday just minutes after Hamas released the first hostages of the conflict, and spent the day soaking up adulation.
In Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, crowds chanted “Trump, Trump” as jubilant families reunited.
Donald Trump has signed a historic Gaza peace document to help end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas[/caption]
A Red Cross vehicle transports hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 massacre amid claims Hamas is yet to return all of the deceased hostages[/caption]
The mother and other relatives of Israeli hostage Bar Abraham Kupershtein speak to him on video call[/caption]
Addressing the Knesset, Trump declared: “This is not only the end of a war, this is the end of the age of terror and death… This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed him as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Some MPs even wore red MAGA-style hats and floated his name for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump even extended an olive branch to Iran, saying: “You know what would be great, if we could make a peace deal with them. Would you be happy with that?”
But the suggestion was met with silence.
The president also boasted of US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, claiming: “We took a big cloud off of the Middle East and off of Israel.”
He then dismissed fears Tehran might rebuild: “The last thing they want to do is start digging holes again in mountains that just got blown up. They are not doing that. They want to survive.”
Yet even amid the fanfare, divisions lingered.
Dream of peace in Middle East is now possible thanks to Trump
By Nick Parker, Foreign Editor
TWO years ago I stood next to a pool of blood in a kibbutz village as Hamas rockets filled the air and Israeli warplanes blitzed the skyline.
Israel’s thirst for revenge was palpable after 1,200 innocents were slaughtered and 251 dragged to the hell-hole tunnels of Gaza by terrorist savages.
Hate filled the air amid talk of merciless revenge among Jews on the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
And Hamas leaders emboldened by their “victory” spread their venom across the powder keg region by crowing that the October 7 horror was “just the start”.
It seemed in those dark days that peace in the Middle East was more of an impossible dream than ever.
Exactly two years since that day in the smashed kibbutz at Be’eri, I found myself standing in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv amid scenes of joyous celebration as the last 20 hostages walked free.
And for the first time I found myself believing that — perhaps years from now — the impossible dream might come true.
Donald Trump delivered the groundbreaking first stage of an accord that has eluded past US presidents for generations by ripping up the diplomacy rule book.
He encouraged, cajoled, bullied and bulldozed all sides, praising Israel’s strongman prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly while pushing him into major concessions privately.
And he drafted in key wingmen who shared his real estate deal-making skills.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, property tycoon Steve Witkoff, 68, took centre stage working behind the scenes to lay the foundation of the deal in talks with Israel and Arab leaders.
The key deal clincher has since emerged as Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, husband of the president’s daughter Ivanka.
Recent interviews have revealed how 44-year-old “bare-knuckle” New York real-estate bruiser Kushner sealed the historic accord — by treating it just like another property deal.
Hamas has not agreed to disarm, and Israeli forces say militants are reoccupying areas from which they recently withdrew.
Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that delays in releasing hostages’ remains would be treated as “a blunt violation.”
After Israel, Trump flew to Egypt for a hastily arranged “peace summit” with leaders from more than 20 nations, co-hosted by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Banners bearing Trump’s face lined the streets.
“From the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, the will of the people meets the resolve of world leaders to end the war in Gaza,” President el-Sisi proclaimed.
Trump praised world leaders for assembling on “20 minutes notice” and signed a document alongside Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, committing to resolve future disputes through “diplomatic engagement.”
But neither Israel nor Hamas attended, and the document contained few concrete details.
Trump offered little discussion of rebuilding Gaza or the Palestinian future, focusing instead on military strength and economic opportunity.
Two left-wing lawmakers were removed from the Knesset during his speech after waving “Recognise Palestine!” signs — prompting Mr Trump to quip: “That was very efficient.”
Despite the celebratory tone, questions remain.
Arab leaders doubt Netanyahu’s commitment to peace, especially after he abruptly cancelled plans to attend the summit.
And while Trump insists “the war is over,” Israel has warned its campaign “is not over” if Hamas refuses to disarm.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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Trump was lauded throughout the day for bringing peace to the Middle East[/caption]
