President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged their infamous, firm handshake during Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.
The gesture was shared during the “sign of peace” at the Mass, before scores of priests distributed the Holy Communion to the crowd, and continues the long history of interactions between the two world leaders.
During a meeting in Paris in December, Trump surprised Macron with a hearty handshake, locking paws with him and pushing down firmly, nearly dragging the French head of state along with him.
Emmanuel Macron and President Trump shake hands at Pope Francis’ funeral.
The handshake was shared during a “sign of peace” during the Mass. AFP via Getty Images
Later that day, Trump embraced Macron in an over-handed grip and angled his arm above the French president in a particularly domineering pose.
Trump brushed off the viral chatter after, telling The Post, “It’s just a firm shake. He understands that. It’s just a firm shake.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis. AP
Two months later, the two were seen strongly shaking hands a number of times during a meeting at the Oval Office.
They shared mutual pats on the shoulder before Trump again pulled his French counterpart close to continue the greeting, both of them smiling through pursed lips.
Once inside the Oval Office, they shook hands twice more.
U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron watch as the coffin of Pope Francis is carried by pallbearers during his funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square. REUTERS
They even grabbed each other’s mitts in what looked like a “thumb war” about to commence.
The fascination with the nonverbal communications between two began during Trump’s first term in office.
At a 2017 NATO summit in Brussels, the two gripped each other so hard their knuckles turned white.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump applaud as they attend late Pope Francis’ funeral. AFP via Getty Images
“My handshake with him – it wasn’t innocent,” Macron told reporters after the summit.
Later that year, they shook hands for nearly 30 seconds at a Bastille Day event, after which Trump joked of Macron, “Great guy … Strong. Loves holding my hand.”
In 2018, the two exchanged the traditional French kiss known as “bise” on both cheeks during Trump’s first term, sparking furthered studies of their relationship.
Though their physical exchanges have grown more tame, the handshakes still linger slightly longer than usual, revealing both camaraderie and the power dynamics of their relationship.
With Post wires
