Anybody watch the body language, hand "grab" and discomfort from the Japanese Prime Minister?

[Pachamama]

Was just watching the meeting in Oval Office with Japan's Prime Minister and Trump. Trump didn't shake his hand, he gripped it hard and pulled it towards him and wouldn't let go. He even added his second hand. It lasted long. Way too long. And the Japanese Prime Minister was uncomfortable. Then when Trump finally "released" his grip, the Japanese Prime Minister moved and slid his body in chair away from Trump and had an agonized look on his face and eye roll as he clearly looked at someone (likely on his staff standing there).

It was a strange and awkward and very uncomfortable moment to watch. And this folks is "the show".



https://m.

[Raine1967]

1. Was it like this awkward moment with Gorsuch?

that was awkward too.

Here is a closer shot of it:

Link to tweet

[KittyWampus]

40. He thinks it makes him look like a tough guy.

[TheBlackAdder]

106. He probably learned that from an MRA dating site. "Pull her hand close, so she almost touches it!"

[KittyWampus]

113. ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. You're right though

he -IS- that creepy guy.

[logosoco]

50. I have a feeling in a few weeks or months there is going to be whole

video compilations of people awkwardly shaking hands with this man!

[JDC]

66. It's a power move, to pull people towards you during a handshake

I'm in Sales, so lots of glad handing. When people do that to me, I usually pull back which catches them by surprise. I'm a pretty big guy so they move when I do it.

[barbtries]

77. the image inspired by your words

caused me to laugh out loud.

i'm at work. tsk.

[JDC]

100. Ha!

[snort]

78. I've had multiple surgeries on my hands.

Men who do this kind of thing are unthinking assholes.

[JDC]

99. Yes they are. I find it to be an intentional violation

Of personal space as well as against the unofficial rules of handshaking.

[Judi Lynn]

86. That looks insane! He nearly pulled Gorsuch off balance. My God, that's creepy.

He clearly doesn't think like a human being, does he?

Those video clips say a whole lot about the Thing occupying the White House.

[smirkymonkey]

108. My god, he looks like he is trying to rip his arm off!

What a dick!

[Hortensis]

111. Oh, noo! Thanks for the laughs, both of you. My husband

and I have been avoiding viewing 45 and hadn't seen either. Bet Gorsuch is counting the moments until he's on the court and completely beyond 45's control.

The two videos together are priceless. Both "victims" must have been well prepared to expect 45's weirdnesses, but to actually be face-to-face and hand-to-jerk with him during historic moments...

[Arkansas Granny]

2. I've seen him do that to other people. It's a dominance gesture.

It reminds me for all the world like the sharp tug you give to a dog's leash when you want to remind them who is in control of the situation.

[Maru Kitteh]

8. Ohmygosh AKGranny, that's a very apt comparrison. nt

[pandr32]

15. It is all about him

He has no interest in learning about the cultures of others and how not to offend. This man should not be anywhere near the White House and foreign policy of any kind.

[PearliePoo2]

11. "sharp tug you give to a dog's leash when you want to remind them who is in control"

OMG...that's PERFECT! Coffee out my nose moment!

[pnwmom]

35. "Strong hands!" said DT. Did you hear that? It was definitely a dominance thing.

And he adds to it by "complimenting" the P.M. in a condescending way.

[The Blue Flower]

52. Yes--picked that up right away

It was all about dominance.

[Richard D]

116. And

Two courses of hand patting.

[pnwmom]

117. Ewwww! Poor Abe. n/t

[BlueMTexpat]

44. You nailed it, AG!

It's also similar to pussy-groping, but for males. Perhaps some of those who have been mishandled in this way might begin to understand how violated females feel when Man-Baby's hands start to wander.

Trump's protocol office doesn't know sh*t about protocol, btw. Either that or he doesn't listen to anything they say - which is also probable.

[Ilsa]

72. Thank you! That's a great description,

Worthy of a heart!

[meadowlander]

83. Yes, it's straight out of a 1980s management manual on "power" body language.

Firm grip. Make sure your hand is on top. If you can't get your hand on top use your other hand to cover the other person's. Give a little pull to get them off guard and show your strength.

It's all bullshit and does not translate into other cultures.

[Arkansas Granny]

88. No, it doesn't. Did you notice the Japanese PM's eye roll when Trump released his hand?

That said it all.

[Cha]

110. Thanks for that description.. blotus makes me gag

and I'm not in the mood now.

This is great from the PM

[mainer]

3. want to see the video!

If you find it, post it!

[Pachamama]

12. Here you go:

https://m.

I want to know if he bothered to the "Meishi" and bow. The handshake in Japanese culture is really only done infrequently with non-Japanese. But watch this video closely. I watched it live and was shocked and now watched the video twice and it's worse than when I first saw it live and posted this discussion. Trump actually "pulls" Prime Minister Abe at himself multiple times almost pulling Abe out of his chair. This is very aggressive and "dominance" behavior. Very, very inappropriate and especially to the Japanese. I did business with Japanese companies, even as often the only woman in the room around executives and I have never seen such aggression demonstrated.

Not a good sign. Trump is a bully and wants to dominate.

[Dulcinea]

37. Shudder.

Either no one told The Donald that aggressive handshaking isn't culturally appropriate, or he doesn't care.

I'm betting on the latter.

You'd think Trump would have met many people from different cultures in the business world & would know better.

[dixiegrrrrl]

39. I noticed when Trump sits, he leans forward, steeples his hands downward,

and after the handshake does it again.
Same posture he took with Obama when they met in that room.

Where as Abe is relaxed, open posture, Trump is very closed,has his hands in front of his balls.

his smile during the handshake and just after was gloating.

[fishwax]

95. I don't think his smile was gloating ... I think his smile was compensating for his failure

Take a look at this video clip from the Daily Show which shows the handshake with a timer.

Here's what I see:

They shake hands. Abe starts to pull his hand away, but DT does the stupid little pat-pat with the other hand to keep the handshake going. Then trump tries to do the power pull. But the PM is having none of it.

About 7 seconds into the handshake Trump tries, but the PM pulls his hand back quickly. Because (a) it's a stupid gesture and (b) DT doesn't have the grip strength or the arm strength to actually pull this stupid "power" move off against the Japanese PM.

At 10 seconds into the handshake, Trump tries again. This time he leans his body forward as he does it. It seems pretty clear that he does this so that he can have a little extra leverage on his 6th-grade power pull. He knows he needs the extra leverage because he got his ass handed to him the first time around.

From that point on, you can see the PM smiling and DT gritting his teeth. That is the expression of someone exerting effort without wanting to seem like he's exerting effort. He's trying SO HARD to overpower the Japanese PM, but he can't do it. Not with those small hands, Donald!

He gives another try at the 14 second mark, and the Japanese PM pulls his hand back quickly, once again completely dominating the Donald's pathetic attempt at a pathetic gesture. At this point, Abe even uses his other hand, pointing to the cameras, as if to say: pay attention to them. You're trying very hard to win a game of tug-of-war that your opponent ISN'T EVEN PLAYING, and yet still you can't do it. So how 'bout we knock this shit off."

At 17 seconds, trump does the hand pat again, because he knows when he's beat.

At 18 seconds, the awkward hand-hug ends, and the PM is like: "WTF was that?"

Trump, you can see in the video, lifts his hands in the air and lets them fall, in what is very clearly a gesture of defeat.

Pathetic. Loser. Sad.

https://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow/videos/10155041198446800/

[dixiegrrrrl]

96. I also caught that Abe suggested the handshake, and during it said twice "look at me"

which trump finally did, and after the handshake Trump said immediately "You have strong hands" which really revealed that handshake game.


to be fair, Trump asked Abe what the Japanese camera person were saying, and that was Abe's response, focused on taking a good publicity pic.

[flygal]

123. trump was gestering to his own hands - I think he was saying he has the stronger hands. nt

[liberalla]

97. I tend to agree with your interpretation. I think 45 was surprised that it didn't work with Abe.

I suspect the PM was tipped off in advance to the handshake. I think from now on, people are on notice about the power play handshake game and it's not going to work out well for 45. They will be prepared for it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. That's the way El Orange-O always shakes hands.

There was a video the other day of his meeting with Neil Gorsuch where he did exactly the same thing - it looked like he nearly yanked the guy off his feet. It's obviously a dominance move. For a Japanese person it probably would have been even more disturbing because that's way outside their culture of courtesy.

[Control-Z]

59. IIRC, his female spawn

describes the handshake in her book. I believe she does it too? (Someone let me know if I'm wrong about this.) The point IS to overpower and put off balance whomever they shake hands with.

[lpbk2713]

5. I'm waiting for Trumpass to give Merkel a shoulder rub.

These clowns have no idea of the concept of international
diplomacy let alone how to act in social situations.

[anarch]

6. sure, keep hoping it's her shoulder he grabs....

seriously, what a complete assclown. It's so embarrassing!

[lpbk2713]

9. "Oh excuse me. I had no idea you were going to turn around."

"And hey, I mean that. Honest. Hey I really do."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. That was W's creepy-"friendly" move, not Trumpsky's style.

Trump prefers raw dominance, something the equivalent of a cat simulated-mounting and biting another cat's neck (I hope he doesn't start doing that!). He's not going to grope Merkel because she's not young and hot, but since she's a woman he would be even more compelled to establish his dominance. I would expect him to do the grab-and-yank handshake very intensely while looming over her.

[Scarsdale]

60. The Queen

Let's hope he does not grab her by the p**sy, as he is apt to do.

[barbtries]

76. it'll be a win

if he doesn't grab her pussy.

[Buns_of_Fire]

10. Other leaders will catch on to this gambit soon enough.

They'll either be prepared so they don't lose their balance, or they'll pull the same time 45 pulls.

If we're lucky, they might even pull 45 off balance. If we're REALLY lucky, they'll pull him right off his feet and we'll be treated to a spontaneous exhibition of Greco-Trumpo Wrestling right there in front of God 'n' Everybody.

He's a grabber, that one.

[Pachamama]

19. Maybe Angela Merkel or another woman leader can do that honor and throw that domineering bully

...down on a "power handshake Trump-style"....



The world would cheer....

[Buns_of_Fire]

29. I've already said I hope she's packing brass knuckles.

Just to reinforce his learning experience, you understand.

[ProudLib72]

13. Did Abe's aid just

bring him a bucket of hand sanitizer?

[lpbk2713]

16. He should have counted his fingers.

[Phoenix61]

14. The pat with the other hand is very condescending

One of those, "Now, now, honey, don't you worry. I'll take care of everything for you" moves. He is so, so out of his league.

[fishwax]

26. I think he was using the hand pat because he couldn't pull off the tug

Every time he tried, Abe was clearly stronger than him. So trump had to call on his other small-ish hand for reinforcements.

[suffragette]

32. I think you nailed it. That's why Trump made the "strong hands" comment.

[BlueMTexpat]

46. This.

[Judi Lynn]

87. So glad to hear your "take." Thanks. n/t

[MineralMan]

17. Boorish behavior, as expected. It won't play well with Abe.

The expression on his face after he got his hand back tells the tale. And the hand patting? Yuck!

[Maru Kitteh]

18. When Trump does this he violates the trust inherent in extending one's hand

A handshake is a very brief ritual but it has some very certain implicit expectations and norms. The human hand, historically, has been unique to our very survival. Extending your hand, making it vulnerable to another person is a gesture of trust. Trump violates this, and he does it rather terribly.

I wonder if he only does this when cameras are rolling. People look (understandably) alarmed when he does it, but presumably, it is not the first time Gorsuch or the PM actually shook hands with him. Does he shake normally and then pull this bullshit when the cameras are rolling?

I would guess yes.

[Pachamama]

31. Correct....and in Japanese culture, "touching" as Trump did is very disrespectful and seen as insult

I thought Trump touts himself as some knowledgeable businessman...no one I know in business at any level, but any level would dare to do this.

I would love to see Trump do this with the head of one of the Yakuza clans....he would be lucky to only have "yubisume" and lose a digit for his offense...

I doubt he will ever dare do this to Putin when they meet....

[former9thward]

61. Really?

Abe seems to be enjoying himself here:

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484

[dixiegrrrrl]

65. WaPo reports Trump gave Abe a hug!

“When I greeted him today at the car, I was saying I shook hands, but I grabbed him and I hugged him because that’s the way we feel,” Trump said. “I’ll let you know if that changes, but I don’t think it will.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/japanese-prime-minister-visits-white-house-but-trumps-travel-ban-dominates-event/2017/02/10/95ad4b2a-efa6-11e6-9662-6eedf1627882_story.html?utm_term=.799044c83421&tid=sm_tw

[BSdetect]

20. What a dreadful shit he is. The old power handshake.

Was it a freemasons grip?

[VAliberal]

36. No

Less Masonic, more boorish.

[simguy225]

119. Nope

The lion's paw is not a hand on hand thing.

[Tanuki]

21. "Please....look at me...." OMG, Abe had to cue him to make eye contact!

This fucking moron is that deficient in basic social skills and etiquette. How embarrassing. This will not be lost on the Japanese people, who certainly understand nuance and "face" in interpersonal encounters. This was horrible. He looked as if he were trying to snap Abe's wrist.

[randome]

27. Dolt45 was saying, "See? I'm an important person now, just like you!"

Or maybe it was, "Funny. You don't look Chinese."
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The Dolt45/Spicer super-soaker fires a continuous stream of stupid and NEVER needs refilling![/center][/font][hr]

[spinbaby]

122. That wasn't it

A photographer says something.

DJT asks, "What did they say?"

Abe translates, "Look at me."

DJT turns to look at Abe instead of the photographer, apparently not understanding that Abe translated the photographer's request.

[madokie]

22. tRump doesn't even know how to act

I'm not sure what to think of him.

Nuts is all I can come up with

[mainer]

23. Thank you for adding the video! Ewww.

That hand tug is so disgusting.

[Nwgirl503]

24. Grabbing

It's his go-to move. Apparently even with men.

And his hair is the same color as that chair.

I still can't believe this is real. He's really sitting in that room. He's really meeting heads of state from other countries. He's really representing the US. When will this nightmare be over?

[fishwax]

25. The expression on Abe's face when he lets go made me laugh

Yeah, definitely uncomfortable. But he was holding his own with it, too. Trump was clearly trying to pull his hand closer, but I think the Japanese PM is stronger and Trump didn't have the strength to make it happen.

Trump did the same thing to Gorsuch during the "Next Supreme Court Justice" finale. Gorsuch wasn't ready for it, and trump almost pulled him off his feet.

That look, on the PM's face though. I mean, it's the kind of look you see at family functions when someone finally breaks free of a conversation with the drunk and incoherently rambling uncle.

[LisaM]

28. Gross.

I'm sorry to resort to junior high school slang, but he's just gross.

[Eliot Rosewater]

30. Fuckface is a punk, he thinks if he does that people will fear him.

We fear him but not for the reason he wants us to fear him.

He is a whiny little boy, in reality

[Mr. Sparkle]

33. lol

That look sums up what the rest of the country is feeling ,the last 3 weeks

[kentuck]

34. He did the same thing with Gorsuch...

...and he was uncomfortable also, it seemed to me.

[HassleCat]

38. Somebody needs to do protocol briefings with Trump.

Japanese people prefer to bow, of course, but they don't mind shaking hands, as long as it's not the American Death Grip with a lot of pumping and yanking. I'm sure Abe was warned to expect the Ugly American routine from Trump.

[Arkansas Granny]

41. You are assuming that he would take the advice that would be given.

I think that is unlikely. He prefers to act like the bully. He thinks people respect his "toughness".

[HassleCat]

42. Yes, there's that.

His fans seem to love him because he's obnoxious.

[raccoon]

102. A lot of people seem to think being obnoxious is strength. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

43. He refuses to accept briefings, according to news reports.

He had to ask his aides what treaty Putin was talking about ..in the middle of the call with Putin!

It seems he feels not knowing what others know is "weak"...Trump's world view is you have seem tough, in charge, smart, and never ever a loser,
even if it means not admitting what you don't know.
His pathology carries that to a high extreme.

[DippyDem]

80. State Department Protocols

If I recall correctly, it's the state dept. job to advise Presidents on proper protocols with the various visitors from other countries. I guess Herr Drumph knows more than the state dept. and won't listen. Oy!

[spiderpig]

45. Mr. pig and I are doing the "veryvery" drinking game at 10:30am

Dawg - he is illiterate, crude and a national embarrassment.

Now they're reporting that Orange wasn't wearing his translation headset.

[Vinca]

47. Abe is wondering if he'll require antibiotics after such close contact with Grabber Don.

[grossproffit]

48. He's a social imbecile.

[blue neen]

49. The eyeroll is priceless!

Abe:

[mainer]

51. watch it fullscreen and look at Abe's face at the end

It's the Japanese version of "Oy vey."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

54. Loved the eye roll.

It spoke volumes: "Jeez, can you believe this guy?"

[pangaia]

53. O.....M.....G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1- You do not do this to ANYBODY.
2- You do not do this to a head of state.
3- Abe was mortified !!!!!!!!! Did you see his face? Of course you did.

4- For what it is worth, you especially do NOT do this to a Japanese, WHATEVER the position or lack of position.. I would not do this to my best Japanese friends whom I have know for up to 35 years !

Plus he started off his remarks with "Welcome to THE VERY FAMOUS WHITE HOUSE !"


Stupid shit fuck !!!!!!!!

[raccoon]

103. I couldn't believe that either.

Plus he started off his remarks with "Welcome to THE VERY FAMOUS WHITE HOUSE !"

[pangaia]

104. Just the fact that Abe showed any reaction AT ALL,, is indication of how stunned he was.

[simguy225]

120. Excellent point

The Japanese are very good at controlling reactions. The fact that Abe reacted at all speaks volumes.

[DinahMoeHum]

55. From the book, "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands". . .

re the chapter on Japan:

"A smile can mean pleasure, but it can also be a means of self-control, as when it's used to hide displeasure"

"Keep a smile, even when you are upset"

"Laughter can mean embarrassment, confusion, or shock, rather than mirth"


https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Bow-Shake-Hands-Bestselling/dp/1593373686/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486755354&sr=1-1&keywords=kiss+bow+or+shake+hands

[malaise]

56. OMFG

What an uncouth (my paternal grandma loved that word) scumbag. Good effin' grief - he's the 'ugliest American' ever.

[Grammy23]

62. Hey, Malaise!

We got a belly full of tRump..45...whatever term we use to refer to this oaf during the campaign and the days and weeks following the election. I think we hoped that the weight of the office would temper him somewhat so that he would not be a national embarrassment to all of us. OH, but no! Not to be. So here we have him....all naked for the world to see. He is clueless about what is classy behavior and is too pig headed to take instructions from the protocol people who could help save him from himself.

Until he is impeached or run out with the guys with butterfly nets, we just need to mock and belittle this poor excuse for a human being. Goad him into full meltdown. I have to keep reminding myself that he really is a sick, sick man. And he can't help himself or control the impulses that drive him. That doesn't mean he should be allowed to remain in office...because he is to be pitied.

The people we should be mad at are the ones who enabled him to get where he is. He didn't do this alone. There were Republicans who could see that he had a following and was knocking off competitors left and right. So they jumped on board to be a part of his team so they wouldn't get left behind. But look what they got for us. Incompetence and unethical behavior at every turn.

Oh, and we need to follow every single lead that can get us out of this nightmare. Don't let a thing go by that could be a piece of this puzzle. There is more to this whole mess than meets the eye. We need lots of digging and pushing to get to the truth. Protests. Rallies. Whatever it takes to push the people who can fight for us in getting rid of this dangerous man. Never ever give up or give in.

[malaise]

63. Agreed

Talking about the weight of the job - wait on this pic

[Grammy23]

68. Two things:

You reminded me how much I miss President Obama.

You owe me a bottle of bleach for my eyes for making me look at that pile of goo currently occupying the White House.

[malaise]

70. Isn't that the truth

[Judi Lynn]

90. OMG. Thanks for putting things in perspective! What a shock. n/t

[malaise]

91. Hi there

[raccoon]

105. Great post, especially third paragraph. nt

[simguy225]

121. Earlier I saw Dolt45

I think it appropriate

[George II]

57. Reading Abe''s mind: "Let go of me, you fucking orange moron!" Did trump really lean over....

....and look like he wanted to kiss him?

[Judi Lynn]

92. He was acting like an old lady. Maybe his mother.

[center]

Mary Trump [/center]

[NastyRiffraff]

58. Typical bully behavior

He doesn't shake a hand, he OWNS the hand. He'll let go when he's damn good and ready.

He's an embarrassment to our country.

[Achilleaze]

64. Abe was ready for the rude republican draft dodger

The Republican draft dodger has been fingered repeatedly for his loser - arm jerk - "handshake."

good thing Abe was ready to thwart this rude bullshit from a Faux aLPHA mALE republican draft dodger.

[SpankMe]

67. He may have been prolonging it for the photo op.

Still creepy, though.

[PatSeg]

69. There was also a very awkward moment

with Gorsuch, when the nominee stretched out his hand to Trump, but Trump tried to aggressively pull him in. Gorsuch held his ground. It was really uncomfortable to watch. Such a nasty bully.

Edit to add link

[PatSeg]

71. Oh damn

I guess he does this a lot!

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/02/romney-trump-handshake.html

[StarryNite]

82. He is such a freak!

So much for being a germaphobe when he has his hands all over everybody all the time with his groping and grabbing.

“One of the curses of American society is the simple act of shaking hands, and the more successful and famous one becomes the worse this terrible custom seems to get,” Trump

It sure is a curse for the people who have to shake his creepy little hand!

[PatSeg]

89. Incredible

He sure seems to get into it, though it clearly is a dominance thing with him. I guess being a germaphobe is a selective thing for Trump.

I can't imagine letting the man touch me and the look on Gorsuch's face as he turned away was very telling. There is a reason why people don't want to get that close to the man.

[anneboleyn]

115. Ugh!! So awkward! Yanking Gorsuch's wife in by the shoulders is NOT OKAY

In his desperate attempt to look "dominant," he tries to yank Gorsuch off his feet (can our comedians please make fun of this pathetic shit) and fails -- but then the Orange Monster Pussy Grabber grabs Gorsuch's wife by both of her shoulders and yanks her in to kiss her. That is not okay, and he is doing it in yet another "dominance" display. She is a small woman, and he yanks her off her feet (she clearly wasn't expecting this either). Trump is such a pathetic douche. Zero people skills.

[PatSeg]

118. He is so socially inept

It is embarrassing to watch him interact physically with people and it makes my skin crawl. The way he grabs a person's hand and then holds it and pats it - both needy and dominating.

[WomanWhoRoars]

73. Pepe le pugh

It's like the old Pepe Le Pugh cartoon - the cat ( Japanese PM ) can't get away fast enough

[Ilsa]

74. The hand-patting is so patronizing.

"I'm patting your hand like you're a little old woman."

Arkansas Granny, up-thread, said it best, though, about the yanking.

[barbtries]

75. even here at work,

when we were expecting guests from Japan, we were schooled on how to interact with them. Their culture is one of deliberate courtesy. Clearly this would make the PM very uncomfortable, but trump is a lout who is convinced that he's a hugely popular star that everyone but everyone feels honored to be next to.

he's rude.

[Skittles]

79. gawd

when he was campaigning I kept asking his idiotic supporters CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS MAN REPRESENTING AMERICA ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

f***, what a fucking EMBARRASSMENT

[RadiationTherapy]

81. Fascinating handshake, yes, but that color scheme with the chairs, Trumps hair and skin, and

Abe's tie. It's like a gotdam Tim Burton film or something. Jeepus creepus.

[More_Cowbell]

84. IF SNL does have Rosie (or someone) do Bannon, this would be a good moment

President Bannon as a puppeteer losing control of his marionette Trump, so he can't make him end the handshake correctly.

[Quayblue]

85. Omg

Abe wasn't having that shit, then the eyeroll afterwards...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

93. Trump has some awkward exchanges with the Japanese prime minister

Trump has some awkward exchanges with the Japanese prime minister

The two world leaders engaged in a 19-second handshake that didn't appear to end well.

By Louis Nelson | 02/10/17 01:41 PM EST | Updated 02/10/17 03:49 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s grin-and-grip with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Oval Office on Friday came off more like a power play between world leaders — and ended with an exaggerated eye roll from Abe.

The moment quickly took off on Twitter, with GIFs proliferating of the awkward moment. It proved to be just one of a series of slightly offkilter interactions during a generally warm meeting between Trump and Abe, who are also due to spend part of the weekend golfing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

With the pool of American and Japanese press in place to observe the meeting between the two nations’ leaders, a Japanese photographer piped up to ask Trump and Abe to shake hands.

The two men obliged, smiling and shaking hands for what seemed like an excruciatingly long 19 seconds as Trump and Abe appeared to engage in a tug-of-war over their clasped hands, with the press snapping pictures.

[Hekate]

94. Saddam Hussein used to have a handshake trick of his own, as described by Amb. Joe Wilson

It involved staring someone in the eyes and putting his hand and arm out lower than expected. When his victim put his own hand out, Saddam's was not where it was supposed to be, so that person would bow their head to see how to make the appropriate adjustment.

Cameras would flash, and voila, another photo of Saddam assuming dominance posture over a foreign dignitary who was seen to be bowing submissively.

Wilson adjusted his own posture accordingly in advance and continued the staredown.

The Mad King is a complete boor. Words cannot convey what an embarrassment he is to our nation.

[Warren DeMontague]

98. ANOTHER ARM FOR MY ARM COLLECTION

[kimbutgar]

101. I saw that also

I thought the prime minister looked uncomfortable. His body language gave him away. Chump wouldn't let go of his hand.

[milestogo]

107. Give me my fucking arm back, you bully.

[smirkymonkey]

109. He's such an obnoxious jerk!

He has absolutely no concept of diplomacy. Everything to him is a power play. I still can't believe this fuckwit is sitting in the oval office. It's disorienting.

[anneboleyn]

112. I HATE THIS - he does this all of the time & it is so pathetic, trying to be "big man"

I have complained to so many people about this -- he does it ALL THE TIME, and SNL or others should make ruthless fun of his pathetic attempts at being a tough guy. It is such a pathetic, jerk move.

[TrekLuver]

114. 4 tugs and 2 pats ....worst hand job I've ever seen.