Donald Trump Awkwardly Refused to Shake German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Hand

This snub is going viral.

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(Image credit: Archive)

German leader Angela Merkel visited the White House today, but she didn't necessarily receive the warmest of welcomes. In a clip that's going viral, Donald Trump appears to snub Merkel as photographers—and then Merkel herself—request that they shake hands for the cameras.

As Business Insider reports, Merkel leans over to Trump and appears to ask him if he wants to oblige the photographers. Trump completely ignores the photographers and Merkel, and doesn't even look at her or acknowledge the question.

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(Image credit: Archive)

It's not clear, of course, if Trump was intentionally ignoring the request or if he just didn't hear it. He did shake hands with her earlier in the day when she arrived at the White House, for whatever that's worth.

But considering the scrutiny Trump's handshakes have come under lately (never forget that hilariously endless push-pull with Trudeau), it's also not surprising that he'd opt out of an awkward moment in front of the cameras with Merkel. Which, ironically, ended up creating another awkward moment.

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Kayleigh Roberts
Weekend Editor

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.