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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump gave Brigitte Macron one of his signature long, firm handshakes when he met France's first lady at the G7 summit in Evian‑les‑Bains, France, on Monday.
Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who have a complex relationship, have a long history of intense, tug-of-war-style handshakes. But this is the first time Trump has offered the greeting to France's first lady.
The move comes after Trump mocked Brigitte and the Macrons’ marriage amid escalating tensions between the two world leaders. Speaking at a private event in April, when he rebuked France for failing to assist the U.S. in Iran, Trump accused Brigitte of treating Emmanuel "extremely badly."
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“I called up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, [he is] still recovering from the right to the jaw,” he said in apparent reference to a viral clip from last year in which Brigitte appeared to aggressively push Emmanuel's face away as they disembarked their presidential jet.
Emmanuel Macron later chided Trump, saying his comments weren’t "elegant, and they weren’t up to par.”
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History of Trump and Macron’s Intense Handshakes
The Trump‑Macron handshake has been a recurring diplomatic spectacle for nearly a decade. Their first meeting in 2017 produced a white‑knuckled, prolonged grip in Brussels—an early sign of the competitive undertones that would define their relationship.
In the years that followed, the two leaders have oscillated between warmth and rivalry. Macron hosted Trump for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, complete with a high‑profile Eiffel Tower dinner with both couples. Trump later returned the gesture by making Macron the guest of honor at his first White House state dinner. But by the end of Trump’s first term, the so‑called “bromance” had faded, replaced by disagreements over tariffs, Ukraine and the war with Iran.
The latest handshake with Brigitte Macron, described by observers as a “tug‑of‑war,” adds a new chapter to the saga of symbolic physical exchanges.
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What Countries Are at G7 Summit?
The G7 is composed of seven major advanced economies:
- France
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
Who Are G7 Leaders?
At the time of the Evian summit, the G7 leaders were:
- Emmanuel Macron, president of France (host)
- Donald Trump, president of the United States
- Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom
- Mark Carney, prime minister of Canada
- Friedrich Merz, chancellor of Germany
- Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy
- Sanae Takaichi, prime minister of Japan
The leaders have convened in Evian‑les‑Bains for the 2026 summit, where tensions involving Trump and several allies, particularly over Iran and transatlantic cooperation, are expected to surface.
What Is Purpose of G7?
The G7 exists to coordinate policy among the world’s leading democratic economies. Its goals include addressing global economic stability, coordinating responses to international security challenges and discussing climate, trade, and development issues. It also aims to strengthen diplomatic cooperation among member nations.
While not a treaty‑based organization, the G7 serves as a forum for consensus‑building on major global issues. At this year’s summit, analysts noted that the strained Trump‑Macron dynamic—and Trump’s broader frustrations with U.S. allies—could shape discussions behind closed doors.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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