Trump tried this special handshake and the photos aren't too... flattering
Donald Trump, well-noted aficionado of the dominant handshake, found himself in unfamiliar greeting territory on Monday.
Joining other world leaders at the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, the U.S. President was required to perform the special "ASEAN handshake" with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, who stood next to him.
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To explain, it's a handshake with two people next to you, with the key difference being your arms need to be crossed over your body.
It's a terribly, terribly awkward maneuver, and Trump is clearly bemused by the whole thing.
Out of all the awkward handshakes Trump's dished out in his presidency, surely this might just be the cringiest.
Yes, these photos are real.
Pres Trump positioned next to Pres Duterte for class photo including @ASEAN2017 handshake, which took some twisting. pic.twitter.com/NwtrhHCBVU
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 13, 2017
good luck to whoever has three weeks to get this regional production of Mamma Mia! into shape pic.twitter.com/eCZ81VxbMi
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 13, 2017
Donald Trump hasn't quite got the hang of the ASEAN handshake with Rodrigo Duterte in Manila today. pic.twitter.com/Z6YlmU0G0O
— Audrey Young (@audreyNZH) November 13, 2017
Trump's face in this photo is priceless. He struggled a bit with the cross body handshake. He eventually got it and laughed off the awkwardness. https://t.co/eVdZOSXFaB
— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) November 13, 2017
Per pool: “Pool, having reviewed photographs, clarifies that Trump’s facial expression during the handshake was more of an exaggerated grimace than a smile.” https://t.co/QkkCSp1qZr
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2017
Maybe Trump is better off sticking to the "yank and pull" next time.
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