Only two months after mocking France’s first lady and her marriage to Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump was caught in an awkward G7 handshake with Brigitte Macron – and now, a professional lip reader claims to know what was whispered as she tried to pull her hand free.
After stepping onto a stage decorated with G7 branding in Évian-les-Bains, France, President Donald Trump arrived for the 2026 Group of Seven summit, where world leaders gathered to discuss economic strategy and mounting geopolitical tensions.
Waiting to welcome the U.S. president were French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron, whose greeting with Trump quickly generated headlines of its own.
‘Tug-of-war’ handshakes
Trump and Macron have spent years turning handshakes into awkward tests of strength, but Brigitte found herself on the receiving end of the “tug-of-war” ritual for the first time.
After kissing the 73-year-old woman on both cheeks, Trump clutched Brigitte’s hand and held on for about 14 seconds as her husband rested his hand on the U.S. president’s back.
Footage of the exchange quickly spread online, with several viewers describing the moment as awkward.
“Trump does his weird handshake tug of war with Brigitte Macron,” one X user wrote.
Another joked: “Macaron should just have delivered a UFC-style finishing move. Amazingly patient man, must say.”
“You should always wear gloves when shaking hands with that evil,” a third shared.
‘So inappropriate’
As Brigitte attempted to pull away, Trump appeared reluctant to let go, leading to further scrutiny from social media users.
“EWWWWW. Once a perv…ALWAYS a perv. That was SO inappropriate and SO hyper aggressive! It is SO blatantly obvious he thinks he can do whatever the f*** he wants to women!” one netizen argued.
“Her husband is trying to protect her from Pedolf Shitler,” another added.
Others viewed the interaction differently.
“Why won’t he let go of her hand when she wants to disengage?” one critic asked.
Tense backdrop
The exchange attracted even more attention because it came only weeks after Trump publicly mocked Brigitte and her marriage to the French president.
During a private event in April, Trump criticized France for refusing to join the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran, using the opportunity to take a swipe at Brigitte and her marriage to Macron, 48.
According to CNN, Trump said: “I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, [he is] still recovering from the right to the jaw.”
The comment appeared to reference a viral video from last year in which Brigitte seemed to push her husband’s face as the couple stepped off their presidential aircraft.
Macron later pushed back on the comments, saying they “weren’t elegant, and they weren’t up to par.”
That made Trump’s unusually familiar greeting with Brigitte all the more noteworthy.
What did Trump whisper?
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, the exchange involved more than handshakes and cheek kisses.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hickling claimed Trump first addressed Macron, telling the French president: “I’m ready for tonight,” before adding, “Pleasure.”
She then alleged that Trump turned his attention to Brigitte and greeted her with an unexpectedly familiar phrase.
According to Hickling, Trump said: “Hello, sweetheart.”
As Brigitte welcomed the president, who turned 80 on June 14, she replied: “Happy birthday.”
The interpretation has not been independently verified, but it quickly fueled discussion online, particularly given Trump’s recent comments about the French first couple.
More experts weigh in
Body language expert Judi James also analyzed the encounter and suggested Trump’s focus appeared to be directed more toward Brigitte than her husband.
“Macron clapped Trump on the arm in a gesture of friendship and looked keen to engage in something a little more like a bonding ritual, but Trump slid straight past him to engage with Brigitte with a much warmer show of enthusiasm and affection, throwing his arms out with his mouth open to lean in and kiss her on both cheeks,” James told the Daily Mail.
She suggested that Macron appeared eager to insert himself into the interaction.
“Macron looked desperate to join in here, clapping Trump on the back and smiling as he squeezed himself in between as they stood in a close huddle.”
James also pointed to the moment after the greeting ended.
“As Macron went to usher Trump towards the tent, Trump held onto Brigitte’s hand, even walking away holding hands with her while Macron danced attendance behind them.”
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