Awkward Greetings As The Trumps and Netanyahus Meet
Image by Getty Images
By Naomi Zeveloff February 16, 2017
Image by Getty Images
Yesterday’s White House greeting between the Trumps and the Netanyahus was rife with awkward moments between the two first couples.
It started out with a stilted exchange between President Trump and First Lady Netanyahu and ended with Melania Trump’s hand on Sara’s Netanyahu’s behind.
Trump cozied up to Netanyahu at Wednesday’s meeting between the world leaders, but he kept Netanyahu’s wife at arm’s length when the two couples met outside the White House.
Netanyahu and Melania Trump exchanged double cheek kisses in an embrace the New York Post dubbed the “two-kiss solution.”
That was a contrast to the uncomfortable encounter between Trump and Sara Netanyahu. Trump, who is known for his aggressive, jerking handshakes, was seen pumping Sara Netanyahu’s hand. But he didn’t draw closer; instead of cheek kisses, the two continued their greeting with mild hand gestures at a distance of a few feet.
A press photo from behind revealed another strange moment between the two couples. In the picture, Netanyahu and Trump walk together in a friendly side embrace. Meanwhile, Melania Trump appears to have her hand on Sara Netanyahu’s rear end, guiding her into the White House.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu https://t.co/JMEpPp4OaM
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 15, 2017
Contact Naomi Zeveloff at [email protected]
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
