Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Theresa May jokes about size of Donald Trump’s hands

Prime Minister was caught holding hands with the President at the White House

Maya Oppenheim
Tuesday 07 February 2017 12:42 EST
Comments
Trump and May hold hands outside the White House

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Theresa May has joked about the size of Donald Trump’s hands at a private fundraiser for Tory donors.

The Prime Minister was caught holding hands with the President moments before they held a joint news conference at the White House last month. The unlikely gesture led to a slew of speculation about what was behind the hand holding.

According to The Telegraph, Ms May made a tongue-in-cheek remark about the President’s hands at the Black and White Ball, the annual Tory fundraiser, on Monday night.

“Thank you very much for that wonderful reception,” the Prime Minister reportedly said after taking to the stage.

“I don’t think I have received such a big hand since I walked down the colonnade at the White House.”

Mr Trump’s “small hands” are the feature the billionaire property developer has gained the most repeated jibes for. Political opponents, commentators and comedians have all poked fun at his hands.

The obsession with his hands is believed to have started nearly 30 years ago when Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair, described Mr Trump as a “short-fingered vulgarian” in the now-defunct Spy magazine.

Mr Trump is ultra-sensitive to this particular insult and has denied rumours about the size of his hands. After his former Republican opponent Marco Rubio took aim at his hands on the campaign trail, Mr Trump snapped back in a television debate.

“Look at those hands. Are they small hands? … I guarantee you there’s no problem," Mr Trump said.

Since photos of Ms May and the President holding hands emerged, a number of rumours surfaced about what had caused the unscripted part of the Prime Minister’s US trip. One rumour suggested the President was afraid of ramps and stairs. After the incident, a Downing Street representative said it was a “chivalrous gesture” on Mr Trump’s part.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in