Even amid historic negotiations, a handshake can steal the show—and that’s exactly what happened when Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron met at the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Their brief encounter during the signing of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement quickly became the talk of the summit, drawing attention for more than just diplomacy.
A Handshake That Turned Into an Arm Wrestle
The two leaders initially shared what appeared to be a warm handshake, each placing a hand on the other’s upper arm in front of photographers.
But the greeting soon escalated into an intense display, with both men swinging each other’s hands side to side, almost like an arm wrestling match.
Eventually, Macron broke free and hurried off the stage, leaving onlookers buzzing about the unusual exchange.
Lip Readers Decode the Conversation
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, speaking to the Daily Mail, the handshake carried far more than a simple greeting.
She revealed snippets of a tense dialogue:
Trump reportedly asked, “Nice to see you, so you agreed?” followed by a pointed, “Are you being genuine?”
Macron replied quickly, “Of course,” before Trump pressed further: “Okay, so now I want to know why, you hurt me. I already know.”
As the handshake continued, Macron looked away from cameras while Trump maintained a firm grip.
The exchange, full of subtle tension, appeared to reference previous disagreements between the leaders, though the exact topic remains unclear.
A History of Mixed Signals
Trump and Macron have long had a complicated dynamic—often appearing friendly in public while occasionally taking veiled shots at each other behind the scenes.
In this encounter, Trump calmly asserted, “I am making peace,” while Macron’s response—“Ah come on”—hinted at skepticism or caution.
Trump reportedly added, “I only hurt those who hurt others,” gesturing toward the cameras, to which Macron replied, “I see.
We will have to see about that,” followed by a stark warning: “You will see what is about to happen.”
The handshake ended with Trump challenging, “I’d like to see you do it, do it. I’ll see you in a bit.”
A Viral Moment Amid Diplomatic Efforts
While the Gaza ceasefire talks were the summit’s main focus, this dramatic handshake has captivated social media and political observers alike.
It serves as a reminder that even brief physical interactions between world leaders can reveal tensions, personalities, and unspoken rivalries that linger behind closed doors.