Trump and Macron just shared an over-the-top, 6-second handshake-bro hug-kiss to top their last awkward handshake

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Trump and Macron just shared an over-the-top, 6-second handshake-bro hug-kiss to top their last awkward handshake

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron

Screenshot via CNN

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron shake hands at a Tuesday press conference.

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  • French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump ended a joint press conference Tuesday with an awkward handshake.
  • The two world leaders have a history of awkward handshakes.
  • Trump and Macron's close relationship has been on full display during this week's state visit.

French president Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump met for a joint press conference Tuesday as part of Macron's state visit.

The leaders discussed plans for Iran, North Korea, and trade, but it was their handshake-turned side-hug that grabbed the internet's attention. What started as a handshake turned into a partial embrace and ended with Trump kissing Macron on the cheek, saying, "I like him a lot."

The handshake/hug comes after a day of Trump and Macron's close relationship was put on full display at the press-heavy state visit ceremonies and a year after they first made headlines for their awkward embraces.

Their friendship has blossomed since their white-knuckle handshake at last year's NATO Summit in Belgium, which also caught the internet's attention. Macron gripped Trump's hand for several seconds even after Trump tried to disengage, a move Macron later admitted he planned beforehand by studying videos of Trump's handshakes.

Here's what happened on Tuesday:

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It all began during a joint press conference on the second day of Macron's state visit.

It all began during a joint press conference on the second day of Macron's state visit.

After discussing policy issues, Trump and Macron began a handshake ...

After discussing policy issues, Trump and Macron began a handshake ...
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... that kept going ...

... that kept going ...

... until it turned into a kind-of embrace.

... until it turned into a kind-of embrace.
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These cap off a history of awkward public embraces, which started with a tense handshake at last year's NATO Summit.

These cap off a history of awkward public embraces, which started with a tense handshake at last year's NATO Summit.

Macron's state visit has meant more opportunities to capture the two's embraces.

Macron's state visit has meant more opportunities to capture the two's embraces.
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Though moments like Trump dusting dandruff off Macron's collar in front of the press seemed less like a bromance and more like a power struggle.

Though moments like Trump dusting dandruff off Macron's collar in front of the press seemed less like a bromance and more like a power struggle.

Source: Business Insider

Overall, their bromance continues to dominate photos and videos from the state visit.

I’ll never let go Jack pic.twitter.com/HXdHNKXqdS

— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) April 24, 2018
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