Angela Merkel Donald Trump Meeting Refuse Handshake

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Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Images.

President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Friday at the White House, in what was the first face-to-face meeting between the two world leaders.

The encounter was bound to be slightly uncomfortable, mostly because they have some strong differences: POTUS has condemned Merkel's approach to refugees and immigration, which greatly differs from his position on the same issue, and she has been critical of the Trump administration's travel and immigration ban. It also doesn't help that Trump also came against her multiple times in the campaign trail, even comparing her to his rival Hillary Clinton, and not in a good way.

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But now that the two must be allies, it seemed like they could be leaving their differences behind. Or at least it did, until the end of their photo op, when Trump appeared to refuse to shake Merkel's hand. Which, as you can imagine, was the most awkward thing ever.

Let's relive the moment in the clip below. Watching through your fingers is highly recommended.

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?
Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?
Trump: *no response*
Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7
— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

Naturally, the instant the video hit the internet, it spread like wildfire. I mean, how could anyone watch the clip and deal with the second-hand embarrassment? It is impossible.

The.

Looks.

On.

Their.

Faces.

Merkel: “Do you want to have a handshake?”

Trump: [crickets. scene.] pic.twitter.com/LLFxuyGDY0
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 17, 2017

No handshake. No talking to one another.

That Trump-Merkel pool spray was pretty awkward. —via @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/DIkEyfNJUq
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 17, 2017

that Merkel-Trump photo spray was SO FUCKING AWKWARD
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) March 17, 2017

Merkel: "Do you want to have a handshake?"

Trump: *ignores her & keeps tiny hands to himself*

WHAT JUST HAPPENED pic.twitter.com/Q4pfL5Mvd2
— Casey Clemmons (@Casey_Clemmons) March 17, 2017

Some Twitter users wondered whether he feels intimidated by Merkel, who has been an imposing world figure for over a decade.

Dont read too much into Pres Trump's photo-op with Chancellor Merkel - he just felt a little out of depth meeting a top tier world leader
— Adam S Jasser (@AdamSJasser) March 17, 2017

Others pointed out that he has shaken hands with other male world leaders with no problems. Hell, he held on to the hand of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a whole 19 seconds. Why wouldn't he offer a handshake to Merkel then?

Having given Shinzo Abe a 45 minute handshake, Donald Trump refuses to shake hands with Angela Merkel pic.twitter.com/l7jAnhiSvD
— Nick Hilton (@nickfthilton) March 17, 2017

Others wondered whether the moment made Merkel miss her former ally, President Barack Obama. (Who, mind you, is currently out there living his best life.)

BREAKING: Exclusive look at Angela Merkel's mind while Trump was being a jackass pic.twitter.com/2v1E2mqOfu
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 17, 2017

To be fair, the two of them shook hands when Merkel arrived in the White House. But what happened between them while they were at their private meeting, or why would Trump ignore her request to shake hands, is anyone's guess — at least for now.

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