President Donald Trump appeared to refuse to shake House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) hand as he began his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.
As Trump made his way to the podium, he handed a copy of his speech to both Vice President Mike Pence and Pelosi. After receiving the folder, Pelosi appeared to reach out her hand to shake Trump’s, but the president turned away.
Pelosi made a shocked face, and smiled, as Trump moved back to the podium.
Pelosi tries to shake Trump's hand. He declines. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/aaLzGWbfoS
— Zach Wolf (@zbyronwolf) February 5, 2020
No Trump handshake for Pelosi pic.twitter.com/7SFqtrTczM
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) February 5, 2020
The president also did not shake Pence’s hand; however, he did not reach out like Pelosi did.
Trump’s apparent decision not to shake the House speaker’s hand is perhaps not shocking. Pelosi was in charge of the House of Representatives that passed articles of impeachment against the president several weeks ago.
The Senate is expected to acquit Trump, likely on Wednesday, ending the trial in the upper chamber of Congress.
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