Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump shown trying to hold Melania's hand in supremely-awkward footage

Encounter has been mocked on social media

Maya Oppenheim
Wednesday 25 April 2018 08:21 EDT
Comments
Excruciating moment Melania refuses to hold Donald Trump's hand before finally giving in

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.

Awkward footage has emerged of Melania Trump appearing to somberly rebuff Donald Trump’s attempt to hold her hand outside the White House.

Standing next to French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, the US president could be seen poking his left forefinger at the back of the first lady’s hand as his wife remained unresponsive.

Mr Trump tried to wrap his finger around his wife’s but she again appeared to snub his hand-holding efforts.

He remained unperturbed and made a more concerted effort to clutch her hand before she surrendered to his advances.

The first couple, who welcomed Mr Macron and his wife to the White House for the Trump administration’s first state visit this week, have had other embarrassing hand-holding encounters.

In May, Ms Trump was filmed clearly swatting away her husband’s hand during a trip to Tel Aviv, Israel. In February, the billionaire property developer once again attempted but failed to hold hands with his wife as the pair left the White House for a trip to Ohio.

The latest hand holding saga has been mocked on social media and late night TV show host Stephen Colbert poked fun at the incident.

“Trump tried to hold Melania’s hand and she is not having it man,” The Late Show host said. “He’s like trying to arouse a dead trout.”

“You can’t blame her though. I mean, she watches 60 Minutes. She knows where that hand has been.”

The Daily Show dubbed the moment with music from Steven Spielberg thriller Jaws - a film about a giant man-eating great white shark attacking beachgoers.

“Look at poor Melania right hand trying to tell Trump that he didn’t dig deep enough,” quipped one Twitter user.

“Poor Melania, she looked like she was holding back tears under her hat as she held Trump’s hand,” added another.

Mr Macron’s three-day visit to Washington has also seen Mr Trump brush off the French leader’s “dandruff”.

"They're all saying what a great relationship we have, and they're actually correct," Mr Trump said to Mr Macron and gathered press in the Oval Office during a meeting between the pair.

"We do have a very special relationship. In fact, I'll get that little piece of dandruff off - we have to make him perfect. He is perfect."

Mr Trump then turned to Mr Macron and brushed his shoulder.

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