Overview
- The G7 greeting captured on video showed President Trump and First Lady Brigitte Macron engaged in a prolonged handshake that lasted about 14 seconds and included Trump taking her hand twice and helping her off a platform.
- A professional lip reader published a verbatim transcription that portrays Trump saying phrases such as “Hello, sweetheart” and reports Macron gesturing for Trump to join others, but those readings are inherently uncertain and unverified.
- Body‑language commentators described the encounter as awkward and attention‑grabbing, and some outlets highlighted the moment as part of strained bilateral optics between Trump and President Emmanuel Macron.
- Social media amplified unverified speculation about the president’s health after viewers noted a weak look to his hand in other clips, while no medical confirmation or official statement has been published.
- Coverage links the exchange to prior April remarks by Trump defending Brigitte Macron and to broader reporting differences across outlets, with the clip now shaping diplomatic optics at the summit and likely fueling further partisan debate.