Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Washington DC this week to discuss a potential resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
But as much as their discussions were important, the pair once again found themselves the subject of attention for their famous awkward handshakes.
The Awkward Handshakes Make a Comeback
During their press conference outside the White House on Monday, the two leaders engaged in a series of handshakes that left many viewers cringing.
Their first handshake lasted an uncomfortable 12 seconds as they greeted each other.
This was reminiscent of their infamous 2017 handshake, where they locked hands for 29 long seconds, an event that sparked plenty of viral memes.
This time, their handshake seemed just as strained, even as they posed for photos.
The Second Awkward Moment in the Oval Office
The second strange encounter occurred inside the Oval Office.
Trump, in his typical fashion, shouted across the room at Macron while placing his hand on the French president’s leg.
In response, Macron turned the uninvited physical contact into yet another handshake, making the moment even more awkward.
These physical interactions have become somewhat of a tradition between the two leaders over the years.
Trump’s Bold Claims on Ending the War
During the visit, Trump made bold statements about the potential for a peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
He suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might visit the White House soon to negotiate a deal concerning Ukraine’s natural resources.
The US president also expressed confidence that he could end the war in just a few weeks if the right steps were taken.
Trump made it clear that he had already spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the possibility of peace, saying that Putin was “not looking for more war.”
He emphasized that if a deal was made, the situation could be resolved quickly, avoiding further loss of life.
The Third Awkward Shake at a News Conference
Later in the day, the two leaders met for a news conference where another uncomfortable handshake occurred.
This time, Trump seemed to twist Macron’s arm before they locked hands again, an exchange that once again caught the attention of social media users.
Keir Starmer and Potential US Tariffs on the UK
While Trump and Macron made headlines for their odd exchanges, British Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Trump later this week.
However, a new complication has arisen for the UK, as Trump announced that the US would proceed with “reciprocal” charges on the UK, mirroring the EU’s VAT rates with a 20% tariff.
This has raised concerns about the potential impact on the UK economy.
Body Language Expert Weighs In on the Handshakes
The prolonged handshakes have become iconic, with body language expert Judi James commenting on the latest handshake as a “death clasp.”
She explained that with the weight of the world’s attention on them, their handshakes are often filled with dominance and power signals.
“This latest greeting was always going to be filled with signals of superior power,” James said, analyzing their interactions.
A History of Awkward Handshakes
These handshakes are not a new phenomenon. Their bizarre tradition dates back to 2017, during a NATO summit in Brussels when their handshake became so intense that both men’s knuckles turned white.
Macron later commented that the handshake was meant to demonstrate his strength and unwillingness to be intimidated by Trump.
The two shared several more awkward exchanges during Trump’s first term, and they were back at it during a reunion in Paris in December 2024 after Trump won re-election.
These peculiar interactions have certainly become a hallmark of the relationship between Trump and Macron, leaving people around the world to wonder what’s next in their ongoing series of handshakes.