Donald Trump awkwardly shook hands with the leader of France during a visit to Paris to celebrate the re-opening of Notre Dame.
The president-elect met with President Macron as part of the ceremony to commemorate the renovation of the iconic cathedral, which was ravaged by a devastating fire in 2019.
The leaders first vigorously shook hands at Macron’s official residence, with Trump clasping the French premier’s from above in a bizarre gesture.
A second, even longer handshake took place at Notre Dame where the presidents clasped hands so tightly they almost appeared to be tussling as they jerked their arms back and forth.
The handshakes have been described as a ‘power move’ by online commenters who pointed out the pair had a history of such behavior.
Trump wrote when he accepted the invitation earlier this week that the French premier had done ‘a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!’
He touched down at Paris’ Orly Airport on Saturday morning and has more than 20 French government security agents helping ensure his safety alongside the Secret Service, according to French national police.
A special French police van has also provided anti-drone protection for Trump’s convoy.
‘President Trump is back to dominating world leaders with his handshake,’ one person wrote on X.
‘Macron is going to need a hand massage after all that twisting and pulling Trump did to him.’
‘Seven years later and the handshake battle continues between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron,’ another remarked.
‘Trump is going to rip out Macron’s arm if they exchange another handshake tonight,’ a third joked.
Security is tighter than usual outside the U.S. Embassy and other sites around Paris for the grandiose Notre Dame reopening, where dozens of international VIPs are expected.
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of cultivating ties with the president-elect since he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris last month.
But his office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying that other politicians who do not currently hold office had been invited as well.
Trump was invited as president-elect of a ‘friendly nation,’ Macron’s office said, adding, ‘This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before.’
President Joe Biden was invited as well, but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict and said that his wife, Jill Biden, will instead represent the US.
It will be the second time Trump and the first lady have crossed paths since the election.
The Bidens hosted Trump and his wife Melania at the White House for the traditional meeting between outgoing and incoming presidents.
Trump’s visit to France comes as Macron and other European leaders are trying to win the president-elect’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Trump will meet with Macron and the UK’s Prince William who is also meeting with Jill Biden, according to the British royal palace.
Macron will convene Saturday with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump also met with Zelenskyy and the two shook hands.
The president-elect has vowed to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, but has not specified how, raising concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations.
In an effort to build trust with the incoming US administration, Zelenskyy’s top aide Andriy Yermak met key members of Trump’s team on a two-day trip earlier this week.
A senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly, described the meetings as productive, but declined to disclose details.
Relations between France and the US during Trump’s first term began warmly enough but grew increasingly strained over time.
Macron was the guest of honor at Trump’s first state dinner, and Trump traveled to France several times. But the relationship suffered after Macron criticized Trump for questioning the need for NATO and raising doubts about America’s commitment to the mutual defense pact.
On the campaign trail this year, Trump often mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the US. if France tried to tax American companies.
But Macron was one of the first global leaders to congratulate Trump last month after the election.
Trump was president in 2019 when a massive fire engulfed Notre Dame, collapsing its spire and threatening to destroy one of the world’s greatest architectural treasures, known for its mesmerizing stained glass.
‘So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,’ he wrote on what was then Twitter, offering his advice to the city.
‘Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!’ he wrote.
French officials appeared to respond shortly after, noting that ‘All means’ were being used to extinguish the flames, ‘except for water-bombing aircrafts which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral.’
Last weekend, Trump announced that he intends to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Predecessors in that prestigious role include Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
