During the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron shared a handshake that quickly became the focal point of Trump's visit to Paris. According to WION, the handshake went viral on several media platforms, prompting various reactions from users on social media. The intense exchange was likened to a strategic tug-of-war, with Fox News describing it as a "power move" and noting that online commentators perceived Trump as "dominating" Macron.
The handshake lasted for 17 seconds, recalling a previous encounter in 2017 that lasted 29 seconds. Netizens pointed out the similarity between the two incidents, noting that both leaders were seen aggressively shaking hands for an extended period during Trump's first term as U.S. President. A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video, writing, "The handshake battle between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron continues."
Fox News quoted Drew Hernandez, who tweeted, "President Trump manhandles French President Emmanuel Macron with one of the most dominating handshakes I've ever seen. We are so back." Another user commented, "Macron is going to need a hand massage after all that twisting and pulling Trump did to him," as reported by WION.
Piers Morgan humorously remarked on Twitter, "I've missed the Trump-Macron arm-wrestles," highlighting the handshake's, according to WION.
Supporters of President Trump celebrated the handshake as a reflection of America's resurgence under his leadership. WION reported that Republicans are "now non-stop cheering 'how Trump has already taken over the control of the world.'"
One user remarked, "This was not a handshake. It was a wrestling match," while another noted, "These guys really turned a handshake into an Olympic sport. My arm gets tired just opening a jar of pickles."
"Trump should shake hands gently; this is like trying to break a hand," one user wrote.
The event marked President Trump's first international trip since winning the 2024 presidential election. Fox News reported that he attended the reopening ceremony alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump lauded the historic alliance between the United States and France, stating, "The United States and France have always stood together in the face of challenges. Today, we recommit to building a future of strength and cooperation." President Macron echoed this sentiment, emphasizing France's dedication to fostering unity in global affairs.
During their meeting at the Élysée Palace, both leaders focused on addressing shared priorities such as European security, energy policy, and economic collaboration.
In the past, Trump's handshakes with world leaders have garnered attention. WION recalled an incident in 2019 when Trump pulled the arm of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a handshake.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq