At a global summit in Egypt on October 13, 2025, US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in an awkward, nearly 26-second handshake that morphed into a physical and verbal showdown. According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, this unusual greeting concealed a tense exchange of words.
Trump reportedly said to Macron, “Nice to see you, so you agreed?” to which Macron replied, “Of course.” Trump then asked, “Is it genuine?” followed by the challenging statement, “Okay, so now I want to know why. You hurt me. I already know. I am making peace.”
French President Macron gets absolutely dominated in a handshake by President Trump.
Trump is undefeated 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ya8h2sFb7J
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 13, 2025
Macron appeared to try to calm things, suggesting, “Let’s handle this behind closed doors,” but Trump shot back, “I only hurt the other.” The French president ended with an ominous warning: “We will see about that, you will see what is about to happen.” Trump responded confidently, “I’d like to see you do it. Do it. I’ll see you in a bit.”
This strange encounter quickly sparked a social media frenzy, with many jokingly comparing it to a wrestling match rather than a diplomatic greeting. The handshake reflects the ongoing complex and tense relationship between Trump and Macron amid political disagreements over issues like the recognition of Palestine and recent ceasefire negotiations.
