Featured Image Credit: YOAN VALAT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Gaza, Politics, World News
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Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Gaza, Politics, World News
A lip reader has claimed to reveal what Donald Trump said to Emmanuel Macron during that awkwardly long handshake during the Gaza peace summit.
The American President, 79, and French President, 47, were both in attendance at the political gathering in Egypt yesterday (13 October).
A slew of world leaders met in Sharm El Sheikh to see Trump and fellow negotiators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey sign the agreement after all 20 of the remaining live Israeli hostages were released by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
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However, attention online has now turned to a tense-looking conversation between Trump and Macron as they shook hands for nearly half a minute during a photo opportunity.
Reacting to the bizarre moment, onlookers wrote on Twitter: "Longest handshake world record attempt?" and "Arm wrestling without using a table?"
While others jokingly chimed in with: "Are they arm wrestling or shaking hands?" and "Macron might need some ice after that." Check out the moment here:
As we say, a lip reader has now given her take on the strange moment, claiming to share what the two were actually speaking about during the exchange.
As per the Mirror, professional lip reader Nicola Hickling said that Trump first asked Macron: "Nice to see you, so you agreed?" as he joined him on the summit stage.
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Macron appeared to respond while facing away from the camera so his response was missed, but then the Republican leader hit back with: "Is it genuine?"
"Of course," Macron replied, to which Trump said: "Okay, so now I want to know why. You hurt me. I already know. I am making peace."
The French President then tapped Trump's hand and looked down at it, as he reportedly said: "Excuse me," however, Trump didn't seem to budge.
Macron allegedly then said: "Let's handle this behind closed doors," which is when Trump reportedly added: "I only hurt the other."
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Hitting back, the Frenchman is reported to have said: "I see. We will see about that – you will see what is about to happen."
"I’d like to see you do it," the US President allegedly responded, which prompted Macron to respond: "Do it. I'll see you in a bit."
While of course we have absolutely no idea about the context of this, we can work out that if correct, it doesn't sound very friendly.
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Hickling also delved into the body language on display between the powerful pair, explaining that Trump was attempting to 'dominate' the conversation.
She told The Mirror: "Repeatedly prolonged, tight handgrips between these two have a clear history as theatrical diplomacy.
"The squeeze here (Trump squeezing Macron's hand while speaking) reads as an attempt to dominate the interaction physically while delivering a conciliatory/accusatory line. This mirrors documented public handshake tussles between the pair."
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The public fight for dominance comes after a clash between the two last month, who butted heads over the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Responding to France's announcement supporting Palestine, Trump said: "I think it honours Hamas, and you can't do that because of Oct. 7. You just can't do that."
As per The Express, Macron retorted to France's BFMTV: "Nobody forgets the 7th of October, but after almost two years of war, what is the result? This is not the right way to proceed.
"There is one person who can do something about [the war in Gaza], and that is the US president. And the reason he can do more than us is because we do not supply weapons that allow the war in Gaza to be waged.
"We do not supply equipment that allows war to be waged in Gaza. The United States of America does."