At the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, Donald Trump exchanged a long, firm handshake with Emmanuel Macron. The microphones were off, but a lip reader revealed the American president’s ironic remarks, followed by a public comment targeting his French counterpart. On the peace summit stage in Sharm El-Sheikh, a simple handshake between Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump attracted all cameras. Thirty seconds of a frozen gesture, a contact more political than ceremonial. As reported by Die Welt on October 14, the tension was visible even in the smiles.
During the same summit, the American president reportedly learned that Macron doubted the strength of the peace process he supports. This context makes the scene even more telling: the microphones were off, but the tension was perfectly audible. British lip reader Nicola Hickling, cited by the German daily, reconstructed the dialogue between the two leaders:
“‘Nice to see you. Do you agree?’ Trump asked Macron as he joined him on stage. Macron turned away from the camera and replied, ‘Is this a joke?’ Trump continued, ‘OK, now I want to know why you hurt me? I already know. After all, I’m making peace here.’ Macron tapped Trump’s hand and said, ‘Sorry.’”
According to Die Welt, this sequence illustrates the mistrust that has settled between Paris and Washington. The publication notes that Macron is among the first European leaders to have officially recognized Palestine—a decision openly criticized by Trump, who said it only “rewards terrorism” after the October 7, 2023, attack.
The exchange reportedly continued briefly:
“Macron said, ‘We’ll settle this behind closed doors.’ Trump replied, ‘I hurt the other one.’ Macron answered, ‘I understand. We’ll see what happens.’ Trump said, ‘See you later.’”
Minutes later, Donald Trump spoke again before the gathered heads of state. While thanking his partners, he slipped in a direct remark aimed at Paris: “Thank you very much to France […] Emmanuel? I thought he was somewhere behind me. Where is he?” Then, spotting Macron in the room, he added ironically, “I can’t believe it, you’re being discreet today…”
On October 13, the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh hosted an international peace summit, bringing together more than twenty world leaders. At the end of the discussions, a declaration calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was signed. The document, initialed by the mediating countries—Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States—officializes the agreement reached between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. These four states committed to ensuring compliance with the measures designed to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
According to Donald Trump, the declaration sets “rules and provisions” for the next steps in the process aimed at concluding the acute phase of the conflict, which began two years ago. The American president described October 13 as “an extraordinary moment for the entire world and for the Middle East.”