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| Trump and Macron Bring Their Handshake Rivalry to the Vatican |
The spirited handshake rivalry between French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump took a fresh turn, adding more tension to their already famous exchanges.
CNN footage from Pope Francis’ funeral showed Trump meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the ceremony. As the leaders gathered, Macron warmly hugged and shook hands with Zelensky—while leaving Trump’s extended hand hanging awkwardly.
Macron and Trump’s history of strange greetings is well-documented. At their February White House meeting, they shared macho hugs, intense handshakes, and physical gestures like knee touches and back slaps.
Macron shakes hands with Zelensky, but not with Trump. Absolute fucking legend! pic.twitter.com/fwvASi0fYk
— Kadi🇪🇪🌻 (@TheFl0orIsLaVa) April 26, 2025
Their unusual relationship goes back to their first official meeting at a NATO summit in 2017, when Macron, 31 years younger than Trump, gripped Trump’s hand so forcefully that Trump’s knuckles whitened, and he had to pull away—not once, but twice.
Although the two did exchange a handshake later during the funeral mass’s sign of peace—apparently prompted by First Lady Melania Trump—the incident sparked online debate. Trump critics said Macron had snubbed him, while Trump supporters claimed it was Macron who was dismissed.
Macron wanted to sit in on Trumps ad hoc meeting with the Narcofuhrer.
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) April 26, 2025
Trump told Macron to sit it out.
Macroleon did as he was told. pic.twitter.com/avS9VpzbrL
One user on X wrote, “Macron shakes hands with Zelensky, but not with Trump. Absolute f--king legend!” Another chimed in, “Macron shows how leadership is done.”
Meanwhile, another user interpreted the situation differently, writing, “Macron wanted to sit in on Trump’s ad hoc with the Narcofuhrer,” seemingly referring to Zelensky. “Trump told Macron to sit it out. Macroleon did as he was told.”
For his part, Zelensky seemed unaffected by the awkwardness, later posting on X: “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you @POTUS.”
