Members Of The Mainstream Media Are Frantically Analyzing The Trump/Putin Handshake

Today marks President Trump’s first face to face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I can’t wait to see how this analysis will go. My prediction? Either way, MSM is going to try to make Trump look like a failure. If Trump and Putin knock heads, MSM will be all, “OMG Trump doesn’t know how to be diplomatic.” And if the meeting is relatively friendly– as I expect it will be– they’ll be all, “OMG he’s LITERALLY BENDING OVER for Putin!”

I could be wrong, but that’s my best guess.

Earlier today, Trump and Putin briefly met and shook hands, and everyone is losing their darn minds over it.

JUST IN: The handshake has happened – Trump and Putin have met at G-20 summit, Kremlin spokesperson tells Russian state media. pic.twitter.com/aHS14amYfN

— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 7, 2017

“JUST IN: The handshake has happened.” NBC is SUPER SERIOUS about this.

Here’s *the* handshake you’ve all been waiting for:

Here it is: The footage of the first Trump-Putin handshake. https://t.co/7wNZVQTC1q pic.twitter.com/xpS5PMut7W

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 7, 2017

As you can see, Trump first patted Putin on the elbow and later patted him on the back of the shoulder. Some say that’s Trump’s way of asserting his position as the alpha male. Others are interpreting that as, “OMG Trump is BASICALLY GIVING PUTIN A RELAXING MASSAGE!”

1. Putin hacks emails to help Trump

2. Trump LITERALLY gives him a pat on the back https://t.co/zivdr3024Q

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) July 7, 2017

Putin and Trump handshake + Trump pats him on the back pic.twitter.com/FZQUh3XrA3

— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) July 7, 2017

From Chancellor Merkel’s Facebook: first Trump/Putin handshake earlier today – and a pat on the back. Looks friendly enough. pic.twitter.com/C5wdDDjMTS

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 7, 2017

And so on.

Trump and Putin’s G20 greeting looked like a Tinder date https://t.co/IXolgT1mjP pic.twitter.com/ZefaYoxaoK

— VICE News (@vicenews) July 7, 2017

Not an expert, this handshake looks pretty wishy-washy. Was hoping for something more macho from both sides https://t.co/vrXp7BAhtJ pic.twitter.com/K7UF1ESBdA

— AndrewBuncombe (@AndrewBuncombe) July 7, 2017

It’s not just Twitter users analyzing the handshake. The Washington Post actually has an entire article devoted to it.

Here @michaelbirnbaum unpacks the handshake: Trump strode up, arm extended wide, as Putin held his arm closer… https://t.co/U7CmTDBxuj

— Thomas Grove (@tggrove) July 7, 2017

Get a load of this commentary. Emphasis mine:

Trump strode up, arm extended wide, as Putin held his arm closer, upper arm remaining close to his chest. To Putin’s left, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stood chuckling, perhaps amused to be privy to the initial encounter.

 

Trump and Putin locked hands, pumping slightly, as the U.S. leader brought his other arm up to pat Putin a few times on the forearm. Putin raised his left hand to make a point. It wasn’t clear what the two leaders were talking about. Putin’s English is not fluent, and there were no translators in the room. Trump does not speak Russian or German, Putin’s two languages.

 

Later, the two men stood about three feet from each other at a cocktail table, smiling broadly. Trump gave Putin some friendly back pats.

“…pumping slightly”? Can we not? It’s a handshake, guys. Calm down.