-
French President Emmanuel Macron gives Donald Trump a "white-knuckle" handshake in Brussels, on May 25, 2017.Evan Vucci—AP
-
A combination photo shows Donald Trump, left, trying twice to let go of a handshake with France's President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels, on May 25, 2017.Jonathan Ernst—Reuters
-
Donald Trump shakes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hand for 19 seconds at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 2017.Chip Somodevilla—AP
-
Donald Trump holds hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May, as they walk along the colonnade of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 27, 2017.Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP
-
Donald Trump shakes hands while attempting to embrace former FBI Director James Comey in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2017.Andrew Harrer—AP
-
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "beat" Donald Trump's dominant handshake while bracing each other in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2017.Carlos Barria—Reuters
-
Donald Trump pulls Judge Neil Gorsuch closer to him while shaking hands in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 31, 2017.Carlos Barria—Reuters
-
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump yanks Mike Pence closer with a handshake during his election night rally in New York City, on Nov. 9, 2016.Mike Segar—Reuters
-
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel meets with Donald Trump, after notably not shaking hands at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2017.Jonathan Ernst—Reuters
Newly inaugurated French President Emmanuel Macron drew international headlines when his knuckles turned white during an intense handshake with President Donald Trump at the G-7 meeting — an encounter he later called a “moment of truth.”
But Macron’s handshake with Trump wasn’t the first time one of the President’s greetings has drawn scrutiny, or been the source of a viral moment that ricocheted across the internet.
Trump’s handshake with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch after he announced his intent to nominate him immediately drew notice, as it appeared like Trump was tugging on the justice’s hand. And his handshake with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was thoroughly analyzed as well, with many opining that Trudeau wasn’t letting himself get pulled into the traditional tug.
Sometimes, a lack of a handshake says even more. The President drew similar fanfare when he declined to shake the hand of German Chancellor Angela Merkel when she visited the White House.
Take a look at some of the other notable Trump handshakes that have caused a stir above.
- What a Photographer Saw in the West Bank
- Accenture’s Chief AI Officer on Why This Is a Defining Moment
- Inside COP28's Big 'Experiment'
- U.S. Doctors Can't Be Silent About Gaza: Column
- The Movie Wives Would Like a Word
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2023
- The Top 100 Photos of 2023
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time