'I was trying to be funny': Trump explains viral 'I'm the boss’ G7 remark

US President Donald Trump has clarified his widely discussed "I'm the boss" remark at the G7 summit, saying the comment was intended as a joke and was never meant to be taken seriously.

The remark, made during a meeting of world leaders at the summit in France, quickly went viral and sparked discussion across social media and international media outlets.

Trump has now said that the moment was light-hearted and has been misunderstood.

Speaking on The Axios Show, Trump explained that he was simply trying to be humorous when he entered a room where other G7 leaders were already seated.

"They are all well-known figures, heads of countries," Trump said. "I walked in and just looked at them and said, 'I'm the boss.' That was done as a joke. This thing got carried all over the world. I was trying to be funny. I wasn't trying to be the boss."

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Trump says comment was taken out of context

During the interview, the host asked Trump how many of the leaders might have believed his remark.

"All of them, but I was just being funny," Trump replied. He added that the comment was made spontaneously as he entered the meeting room and was never intended as a serious statement about his role among world leaders.

According to Trump, the widespread attention the comment received surprised him.

"I can't believe it," he said, referring to the global coverage of the brief exchange.

The moment that drew laughter at the summit

The incident took place on the final day of the three-day G7 summit in France. As Trump walked into a morning session where the other leaders were already seated, he jokingly declared, "I'm the boss."

The comment immediately drew laughter from those in the room.

French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to take the remark in good humour and responded by asking Trump, "How are you?"

"Good, thank you," Trump replied, before taking his seat and joining the discussions.

The brief exchange soon became one of the most talked-about moments of the summit, generating reactions online and prompting debate over whether the remark reflected humour or confidence on the international stage.

Focus on key global issues

Beyond the viral moment, the G7 summit focused on several major international issues, including the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, global trade challenges and relations among leading democratic nations.

Trump attended the summit shortly after celebrating his 80th birthday. The gathering brought together leaders from the world's major advanced economies for discussions on security, economic cooperation and geopolitical developments.

The Group of Seven, or G7, consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. The forum was established in 1975 to discuss economic recovery following a major global downturn. Canada joined the grouping the following year.

France currently holds the G7 presidency after taking over from Canada and is scheduled to pass it to the United States in 2027.