Another overseas leader, another awkward handshake moment at the White House.
This time, it was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who met with US President Donald Trump on Friday.
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Trump ignores Merkel's handshake offer
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In an awkward exchange, the US president appears to snub the German Chancellor's request for a handshake during a photo op.
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Trump ignores Merkel's handshake offer
In an awkward exchange, the US president appears to snub the German Chancellor's request for a handshake during a photo op.
Things seemed to be going well when Trump greeted the long-time German leader with a handshake as she arrived at the White House.
But, it was when the pair sat down in front of the press, after a private discussion covering America's NATO involvement as well as the situations in Ukraine and Afghanistan, that things went awry.
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In footage circulated on Twitter, the US president is shown awkwardly ignoring Merkel's request for a handshake.Cant wait for that Merkel-Trump handshake. pic.twitter.com/Tf6TTQ0qJH
— Sarah Munir (@SarahMunir1) March 17, 2017
Twitter users quickly jumped on the humorous footage, wondering exactly why Trump did not want to shake the hand of one of the world's most powerful women.
If you are an outspoken, strong woman and/or in a leadership position, Trump's body language here will be familiar 😏https://t.co/ax631C2o2I
— ...she persisted. 🗽 (@leahmcelrath) March 17, 2017
You can't blame Trump for not shaking hands with Angela Merkel. He's terrified of germs. Oh... and women who are smarter than him #handshake
— Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) March 17, 2017
Merkel's handshake would probably crush President baby-hands over there. https://t.co/G4Wh9jSmzZ
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) March 17, 2017
Then again, Merkel may have dodged a bullet. It was in that very photo opp that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the victim of a now iconic 19-second, awkwardly-gripped handshake from the new president last month.Trump and Angela #merkeltrump #merkelhandshake pic.twitter.com/tvE5EqSk37
— Dito Sevilla (@DitoDC) March 17, 2017
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