President Donald Trump met newly-inaugurated French President Emmanuel Macron for the first time on Thursday, ahead of a NATO summit in Belgium.

After pictures surfaced online and an amusing pool report, the Internet had a field day scrutinizing their handshake.

The pool report noted both presidents’ “considerable intensity” and clenched jaws.

Both presidents knuckles apparently went white during the tight grip, according to various observers. Trump – who is known for his intense handshakes – reportedly looked like he wanted to disengage from Macron at two different points.

Check out photos of their interaction below:


Initially, Trump and Macron seemed at ease when they shook hands before reporters and photographers in Belgium.

Foto: source Thomson Reuters

Soon, however, “each president gripped the other’s hand with considerable intensity, their knuckles turning white and their jaws clenching and faces tightening,” a pool report said.

Foto: source Thomson Reuters

“They shook hands for an extended period of time,” according to the pool report, and Trump began looking visibly uncomfortable.

Foto: source Thomson Reuters

Trump reportedly tried to let go of Macron’s hand twice while Macron continued holding tight.

Foto: source Thomson Reuters

The awkward interaction had Twitter lighting up. Sky News’ Matt Stone likened the handshake to a competition.

Foto: source Twitter


"Battle of the handshakes: Macron beats Trump at his own gripping game during first meeting at Brussels NATO summit," read one tweet.

Foto: source Twitter


"Trump meets his handshake match in Emmanuel Macron," tweeted another user.

Foto: source Twitter


"Best thing about this is not the handshake itself but Macron acting like it's totally normal," tweeted BuzzFeed World editor Miriam Elder.

Foto: source Twitter


Other reporters also weighed in. "If relationships were defined by handshakes, then Trump & Macron's is gonna be fierce," tweeted Philip Rucker, the Washington Post's White House Bureau Chief.

Foto: source Twitter


Reuters called the interaction "a little handshake diplomacy."

Foto: source Twitter


Here's the handshake in full:

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The two leaders had a second intense handshake following remarks at NATO's headquarters in Brussels. Check out the video:

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