Only two months after publicly mocking France’s first lady and her marriage to President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump has once again drawn attention—this time for an awkward and widely discussed moment during a G7 summit handshake with Brigitte Macron.
The interaction, which quickly went viral, has since sparked further debate after a professional lip reader claimed to have identified what was said during the exchange.
The incident took place in Évian-les-Bains, France, where world leaders gathered for the 2026 Group of Seven summit. The high-profile meeting focused on pressing global issues, including economic strategy and rising geopolitical tensions. As Trump arrived at the venue, he was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, setting the stage for a moment that would soon dominate headlines.
For years, Trump and Macron have been known for their unusually intense handshakes—often described as subtle displays of dominance. However, this time, it was Brigitte Macron who appeared to be caught in what observers described as a “tug-of-war” handshake.
After greeting her with the customary double cheek kiss, Trump took hold of Brigitte’s hand and held it firmly for approximately 14 seconds. During this time, Emmanuel Macron stood nearby, placing a hand on Trump’s back in what appeared to be an attempt to maintain a sense of balance in the interaction.
Video footage of the moment spread rapidly across social media, with many viewers describing the exchange as uncomfortable. One user wrote, “Trump does his weird handshake tug of war with Brigitte Macron,” while another joked, “Macron should just have delivered a UFC-style finishing move. Amazingly patient man, must say.”
As the handshake continued, Brigitte appeared to try to pull her hand away, but Trump seemed reluctant to release it. This only intensified online reactions, with some critics labeling the moment as inappropriate or overly aggressive.
“EWWWWW. Once a perv…ALWAYS a perv. That was SO inappropriate and SO hyper aggressive! It is SO blatantly obvious he thinks he can do whatever the f*** he wants to women!” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “Why won’t he let go of her hand when she wants to disengage?” reflecting the discomfort many viewers felt while watching the interaction.
However, not everyone interpreted the moment negatively. Some observers suggested that Trump’s behavior, while unconventional, was consistent with his long-established style of greeting world leaders.
The timing of the incident added another layer of complexity. Just weeks earlier, Trump had made controversial remarks about Brigitte Macron during a private event. According to reports, he criticized France’s decision not to support a U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran and used the opportunity to make a personal comment about Macron’s marriage.
“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, [he is] still recovering from the right to the jaw,” Trump reportedly said, referencing a viral video from the previous year in which Brigitte appeared to push her husband’s face as they disembarked from a plane.
Emmanuel Macron later responded to those comments, stating they “weren’t elegant, and they weren’t up to par,” signaling clear disapproval.
This context made Trump’s unusually warm and prolonged greeting with Brigitte at the summit even more striking.
Adding to the intrigue, professional lip reader Nicola Hickling analyzed the footage and claimed that the interaction included more than just physical gestures. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hickling said Trump first addressed Macron, stating: “I’m ready for tonight,” followed by, “Pleasure.”
She then claimed that Trump turned to Brigitte and greeted her with the words: “Hello, sweetheart.”
According to Hickling, Brigitte responded politely, saying: “Happy birthday,” referencing Trump’s recent 80th birthday on June 14.
While these interpretations have not been independently verified, they quickly fueled further discussion online, particularly given the recent tension between Trump and the French first couple.
Body language expert Judi James also weighed in, suggesting that Trump’s attention appeared to be directed more toward Brigitte than toward Macron during the exchange.
“Macron clapped Trump on the arm in a gesture of friendship and looked keen to engage in something a little more like a bonding ritual, but Trump slid straight past him to engage with Brigitte with a much warmer show of enthusiasm and affection,” James explained.
She also noted that Macron seemed eager to reinsert himself into the interaction, describing how he stepped closer, placed a hand on Trump, and smiled as he tried to join the exchange.
According to James, the moment did not end with the handshake. As Macron attempted to guide Trump toward the next part of the event, Trump reportedly continued holding Brigitte’s hand, even as they began walking away, with Macron following closely behind.
The combination of physical gestures, prior comments, and alleged whispered remarks has turned what might have been a routine diplomatic greeting into a widely analyzed and debated moment—highlighting once again how even small interactions between world leaders can carry significant public attention.
