Trump and Meloni's Handshake Horror: A Feud Unleashed

A video of an excruciatingly awkward handshake between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump has resurfaced, amplifying their ongoing feud.

Trump escalated the tension by posting an image of Meloni gazing up at him with what some interpret as admiration, captioned with “Restraining order needed,” on July 5.

As Trump met with Meloni and other NATO leaders during a two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, footage from a previous Gaza peace summit reemerged, showcasing the bizarre dynamics between the two.

In the clip, Trump clasps Meloni’s hand tightly, pulling it in an awkward tug reminiscent of his interactions with other world leaders.

Social media erupted with commentary on the encounter, with many speculating that Meloni’s body language indicated a desire to escape the situation quickly.

“You can practically see her immune system kicking in,” one user remarked.

Another added, “You can tell it’s just for the photos and she’s wanting to get away as quickly as she can.”

“He’s so desperate to get her full attention,” another chimed in.

Critics noted that Trump’s handshake tactics are not limited to men. “He even plays that stupid handshake dominance game with women. He is seriously lacking,” one user pointed out.

Trump has a notorious history of awkward, tugging handshakes with global leaders.

During the G7 Summit in June, he engaged in a similarly odd handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron.

This was the same summit where Trump and Meloni’s relationship soured, leading to his bizarre Truth Social post demanding a “restraining order” against her.

Once aligned with Trump, Meloni’s rapport with him deteriorated after he claimed she was eager for a photo op at the G7 summit in France.

In an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, Trump stated, “She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her. She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”

Meloni responded with disbelief, swiftly firing back in a video on her social media platform, labeling his behavior as “disappointing,” and asserting that “neither I nor Italy ever beg.”

Trump retaliated on Truth Social, claiming Meloni was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity,” while criticizing Italy’s handling of America’s conflict with Iran.

Meloni shot back at the U.S. president, stating: “My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”