By now, you might know just how weird President Donald Trump's handshakes are [1]. They last too long [2], are awkward, and feel like he's trying to send a message of dominance. That's why the internet slightly lost it when Trump refused to shake the hand of Angela Merkel [3], the German chancellor, during a meeting at the White House.
Yes, that's right. The president refused to shake hands with one of our country's closet allies. Politico captured the awkward moment in a tweet.
Merkel asks Trump: "Do you want to have a handshake?"
The U.S. president did not respond.https://t.co/dgLHkN1H7o [5] pic.twitter.com/ChonvrLITV [6]— POLITICO (@politico) March 17, 2017 [7]
The internet couldn't believe it happened and immediately started wondering what Merkel's thoughts were.
Added the Chancellor: "What's wrong, Mr. Grumpypants?" https://t.co/FZDtyvJRgV [8]
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) March 17, 2017 [9]
"C'mon. We'll get you ice cream after. Please. Just smile. It's for the Christmas card." #BabyInChief [10] https://t.co/fdgamSqWRI [11]
— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) March 17, 2017 [12]
Angela Merkel must be asking herself how she had to suffer George W Bush and now Donald Trump 🙄
— Harvey J Kaye (@harveyjkaye) March 17, 2017 [13]
Most people just feel super embarrassed to have seen that moment.
asldkfj;laskjf;alskdfjs https://t.co/ZXFbTLNMRA [14]
— Jessica Galliart (@JessicaGalliart) March 17, 2017 [15]
No handshake. No talking to one another.
That Trump-Merkel pool spray was pretty awkward. —via @MSNBC [16] pic.twitter.com/DIkEyfNJUq [17]— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 17, 2017 [18]
And some can't believe this is how President Trump is acting.
Like he just lost a little league game and is refusing to shake hands with the other team. https://t.co/5UGC3P0Vfz [19]
— Luke O'Neil (@lukeoneil47) March 17, 2017 [20]
Others are applauding Merkel for shrugging off the moment.
Imagine being an intelligent, accomplished leader like Angela Merkel and having to pose next to Trump as though he were your respected equal
— Vive la résistance (@feistybunnygirl) March 17, 2017 [21]
To Merkel's credit she just kind of shrugged it off like an amused mother. Who probably gave the boy some messages he didn't want to hear.
— Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) March 17, 2017 [22]
Some believe Merkel deserves something nice for having to put up with this.
Someone please give Angela Merkel a Shamrock Shake.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) March 17, 2017 [23]
I can't imagine a higher honor than being refused a handshake from Donald Trump.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 17, 2017 [24]
Hopefully, Trump learns from this and shakes the hand of every world leader — especially those of our allies.