President Donald Trump’s visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House seemed to be going well until an odd moment in the Oval Office.
Amid the buzz of photographers gathered around and cameras flashing, Merkel leaned over in her chair and allegedly asked the president if he would shake her hand for the photos.
Merkel asks “Do you want to have a handshake?” according to Politico.
Merkel asks Trump: “Do you want to have a handshake?”
The U.S. president did not respond.https://t.co/dgLHkN1H7o pic.twitter.com/ChonvrLITV— POLITICO (@politico) March 17, 2017
Trump did not appear to have heard Merkel as he looked straight ahead at the reporters. Or maybe, as many immediately reacted on social media, he just ignored her.
While it is too soon to speculate why Trump did not respond, video of what is being called an “awkward” moment by many was quickly making the rounds on Twitter. Not surprisingly, the outrage from those looking for anything to nail the president, was palpable.
Trump’s appearance with Chancellor Merkel was a national disgrace and the epitome of churlish discourtesy. #Dems https://t.co/SQkCkb2Gw2
— Dario Navarro (@darionavarro111) March 17, 2017
Trump can’t stand powerful women: won’t look Merkel in the eye, blows off handshake after WH meeting https://t.co/lnfp4B1TGG via @shareblue pic.twitter.com/dz45bEzHQO
— Tommy Christopher (@tommyxtopher) March 17, 2017
Trump deliberately snubs Merkel, refusing handshake. Alienating allies, confirming that the US is now owned/controlled by Putin. #Russiagate
— Anne?? (@relevanne) March 17, 2017
Trump denied Angela Merkel a handshake and it was the most awkward thing ever ? https://t.co/i06gVpCFjH pic.twitter.com/rh5vLZSJQ5
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 17, 2017
No handshake. No talking to one another.
That Trump-Merkel pool spray was pretty awkward. —via @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/DIkEyfNJUq
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 17, 2017
@davidmackau i feel sick. such a horrid man, sulky child face. he has no idea at all. Poor Merkel, gonna be an awful stay for her
— nicole (@nicoleb1969) March 17, 2017
@davidmackau @TomWellborn I don’t think I’ve ever actually hated anyone… till 45. He’s the worst example, for my son & entire country
— Lisa Kosola (@sweedypy) March 17, 2017
The president and German chancellor have had a tense history. Trump was critical of her handling of the Syrian refugee crisis in her country and Merkel has been highly critical of his proposed ban on immigrant travel to the U.S. for those coming from six mostly Muslim nations.
But, in her first visit to the U.S. in more than two years, Merkel was met with smiles and a handshake from Trump earlier in the day outside the White House as seen in a photos and video.
As some continue to have meltdowns over what may or may not have happened in that moment in the Oval Office, some Twitter users suggested caution about jumping to conclusions while others had already made up their minds.
@politico Please, apologize to Ms. Merkel on behalf of the American people!
— Rayanne Stemmler (@rstemmler24) March 17, 2017
@politico Every day brings new shame.
— Vanessa (@VJBtweets) March 17, 2017
@CO4Trump16 @politico I agree, there may be more to the story. But he DID shake every other leader’s hand in the oval office.
— Collette Hanna (@ColletteHanna) March 17, 2017
@politico pic.twitter.com/MiqHRA1LLa
— Colorado4Trump (@CO4Trump16) March 17, 2017
@ColletteHanna@CO4Trump16@politico People SEE what they WANT to SEE. Never mind the FACTS! #MAGA
— mrbr3c (@mrbr3c) March 17, 2017
TRUMP DENIED MERKEL A HANDSHAKE! Hahahaha Thats what you get for supporting radical Islam! pic.twitter.com/5v0qwhp4nR
— Eric Spracklen (@EricSpracklen) March 17, 2017
@EricSpracklen
She musta really pissed him off!
She’s helped destroy Europe after all.— Celina Maccadanza (@CelinaSivret) March 17, 2017
@DailyMirror Hardly surprising. She’s the patron saint of refugees & he’s banning them. Not exactly a meeting of minds.
— CrazyCatLady (@Cat1974Lady) March 17, 2017
With all the pining for the old days when Merkel had a great relationship with former president Obama, one Twitter user summed up the emotions with a truth no one can dispute.
No matter what Donald Trump does when he meets with Angela Merkel later today, it won’t be better than this pic.twitter.com/WYnJ4xUN0S
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) March 17, 2017
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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