Luxon and Trump Share Dinner: A Night of Surprising Exchanges

In a notable dinner gathering, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung hosted an event featuring Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The evening was marked by light-hearted banter and unexpected remarks, highlighting the unique dynamics among the leaders.

As guests settled in, the dinner menu offered a distinctive culinary experience of dumplings made with truffles and ogol chicken. Luxon enthusiastically promoted New Zealand’s poultry, claiming, “We have the best chickens in the world.” He jokingly encouraged attendees to “ogle” the chickens, but quickly added a note against objectifying women, showcasing a blend of humor and sensitivity.

Trump, known for his straightforward remarks, engaged Luxon by asking, “What sort of country is that? Who are you, anyway?” Once informed of Luxon’s position as Prime Minister, Trump expressed surprise, associating him with Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company. In typical fashion, Trump moved on to discuss the strength of the U.S. economy, declaring it the “strongest on the planet” and boasting about recent investments surpassing $18 trillion.

The dinner took a humorous turn when Trump questioned the appearance of the ogol chicken, stating, “I’ve never seen a black chicken before.” Lee Jae Myung explained that the chicken’s color is a signature aspect of the dish, which is well-regarded in South Korea. Trump’s candid reaction was met with laughter, illustrating the lighter side of political discussions.

Luxon later noted his own experiences with job reductions in New Zealand, suggesting that efficiency improvements had positive outcomes. Trump responded affirmatively, acknowledging Luxon’s point and proposing a toast to him, albeit with a playful jab about the individual’s hair loss due to stress from his responsibilities.

The evening concluded with Trump expressing his enjoyment, despite his reservations about the chicken. He remarked, “The food, incredible. Apart from the black chicken.” Before departing, he quickly brushed off a request from Luxon to discuss tariffs, indicating a preference to keep discussions light.

This dinner served as a reminder of the complexities in international relations, where humor and candid exchanges often coexist with serious discussions about governance and economic policy. The interactions among these prominent leaders spotlighted not only their individual personalities but also their countries’ unique perspectives in a global context.