King Charles met Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, and the moment that followed left social media buzzing. The handshake exchange between the two leaders has captured widespread attention online.
Donald Trump and King Charles’ handshake has internet talking
During King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the White House on Monday, video footage captured an extended handshake between the King and President Donald Trump, according to The Mirror US. The 77-year-old monarch approached Trump’s outstretched hand and shook it vigorously for nearly 10 seconds on the red carpet. Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump exchanged a gentle la bise greeting beside them.
The visit marks one stop on a four-day tour of the United States. The royals aim to promote the partnership between the two allied nations. Tensions have risen recently due to Trump’s Iran war demands and trade disputes.
Social media users responded quickly to the handshake exchange. One X user wrote, “Trump is trying his toxic beta-male handshake, and Charles is having absolutely none of it.”
Another commented, “God. The Trumps and King Charles have about as awkward of a meeting as you possibly could have. Every pause, every glance, every second feels off. This is not diplomacy. It’s discomfort..”
The state visit coincides with a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. King Charles is expected to address Congress during the trip. He will speak about finding common ground between the two nations despite past disagreements.
Days before the royals arrived, Trump threatened tariffs on the U.K. over its 2% Digital Services Tax. Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said, “If they don’t drop the tax, we’ll probably put a big tariff on the U.K.” He claimed the tax unfairly targets top American companies.
Trump expressed optimism about the meeting’s potential to ease transatlantic tensions. When the BBC asked if private discussions could improve relations, Trump replied, “Absolutely, the answer is yes.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently declined to commit the U.K. navy to U.S.-Israeli operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
