Press Secretary Sean Spicer has suggested that, in regards to Trump’s lack of handshake with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there was no refusal on the president’s part.
On Friday, President Trump met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and, during a side-by-side sit down in the Oval Office, appeared to ignore suggestions for a handshake, notes the Washington Post.
While photographers shouted out “handshake” and the German leader asked, “do you want to have a handshake?” Trump sat with his hands folded and eyes fixed forward.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer has since suggested there was no refusal on the president’s part.
He told ‘Der Spiegel,’ a German publication, “I don’t think he heard the question.”
German daily ‘Bild’ pointed out that Trump avoided making eye contact with Merkel.
Further, a number of outlets noted how different Trump’s interaction with Merkel was compared to his engagements with other leaders, notes The Independent.
His meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was filled with cheery exchanges, and before taking the stage for a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, he grabbed her hand.
Notably, Trump did shake Merkel’s hand when he welcomed her to the White House.
