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People point out Donald Trump’s major handshake fail with Paraguay president Santiago Peña
Social media users have reacted to what they believe was a major handshake fail by President Donald Trump during his meeting with Paraguay's president, Santiago Peña.
The interaction took place during the Shield of the Americas summit at Trump National Doral Miami resort in Florida on Saturday (March 7).
The gathering brought together leaders from across Latin America, including representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago.
When Trump and Peña greeted each other for a photo opportunity, the pair stood side by side and shook hands, but observers quickly noticed something unusual.
The 79-year-old appeared to attempt his familiar move of pulling the other person’s hand toward his body. However, Peña resisted the tug and kept both their hands close to his own side.
The moment quickly went viral online, with many viewers pointing out that the 47-year-old leader didn’t give in to the move.
One person on X wrote: "Peña just gave Trump the 'nope, not today' treatment. That tug-of-war handshake finally met its match. Paraguay 1, power move 0."
Another user slammed: "Imagine thinking you, at 79, who can barely even walk around... can pull a man who is CLEARLY healthier, taller, and younger than you. What a loser."
A third said: "It's almost endearing at this point - like watching your uncle who still thinks this move projects strength, when really it just screams 'I need to win at everything, including greetings.'"
However, not everyone found the moment amusing. A user argued: "That’s called a power move. Most leaders aren't ready for it.” A second warned: “Bad news for Paraguay. Trump won't forget that."
Trump's Famous 'Power' Handshake
Trump has long been known for a distinctive handshake style when greeting other leaders, often pulling their hands toward him in what some observers say is meant to assert dominance.
During a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin last year, body language expert Patty Ann Wood described the move as a deliberate tactic.
She said: "The handshake tight to his mid-body to pull the other person in, a display of power." But this time, viewers felt Peña managed to avoid the maneuver.
The moment took place during a larger diplomatic meeting focused on security in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump convened the summit to discuss regional cooperation and announced plans to establish what he described as a “counter-cartel coalition”.
“Just as we formed a coalition to eradicate ISIS, we now need a coalition to eradicate the cartels,” he told the 12 regional leaders at the event, per The Guardian.
He cautioned that criminal organizations posed a serious threat across the region. "We must recognize that the epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico," Trump said, adding that "the cartels are fueling and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in this hemisphere."
The president also stressed the role of military cooperation in tackling the issue. "The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our military. So we have to use our military. You have to use your military," he said.
Several US officials also spoke during the summit. Kristi Noem, who stepped down as Department of Homeland Security secretary before taking on a new role as US special envoy to the coalition, said the partnership would focus on mutual security.
"This is intended to be a group that works together to ensure we’re defending our own sovereignty, we’re each defending our own security and economic prosperity," Noem said, adding that it would be a “powerful example to the rest of the world about what’s possible."
US secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised the Latin American leaders attending the summit. "At a time when we have learned that an ally, when you need them, may not be there for you, these are countries that have been there for us," he said.
"We want you to see that when you are a friend and ally to the United States, it is a good thing and it is reciprocated back the other way," he said.