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A viral moment between King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and US President Donald Trumphas sparked heated debate online.
And some viewers are labeling theDutch monarch’s handshake as a calculated ‘power move.’
The interaction occurred during the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24, where the Dutch royals formally greeted Trump.
Footage of the handshake, which has gained over 4.2 million views on TikTok, shows Willem-Alexander gripping Trump’s hand and appearing to yank it towards his midriff – a move many believe mirrors Trump’s own famously assertive handshake style.
Trump has long been known for using strong handshakes as a form of nonverbal dominance.
Past clips show him pulling leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau toward him with force.
The Dutch king’s move has prompted some to suggest he deliberately flipped the script.
A video montage of Trump’s handshakes with world figures, including Vladimir Putin and US Justice Neil Gorsuch, sets up the context before cutting to Willem-Alexander’s interaction.
King Willem-Alexander greets Donald Trump at the 2025 NATO Summit with a handshake that quickly went viral
Unlike many others caught off-guard by Trump’s grip, Willem-Alexander appeared prepared and steady.
Social media users have praised the king’s composure, with some suggesting it was a subtle assertion of equal footing.
The moment came just days after Queen Maxima faced scrutiny for allegedly mocking Trump’s mouth movements during a previous meeting.
She has since denied the claim.
While the queen’s reaction initially drew attention, the king’s handshake is now the focal point of online discourse.
Experts have long analyzed Trump’s handshake tactics, calling them attempts to assert psychological dominance.
Florin Dolcos, a psychology professor, once described Trump’s approach as ‘trying too hard’ to maintain control in interactions.
Whether Willem-Alexander’s response was intentional or instinctual remains unclear.
The Dutch king appears to beat Trump at his own handshake game during their June 24 meeting in The Hague
Neither the Dutch royal family nor Trump’s team has publicly commented on the handshake.
Still, the moment has sparked renewed interest in political body language at high-profile events.
The handshake has become the latest symbol in a growing archive of viral NATO summit moments.
And with over 400,000 likes on TikTok alone, it’s clear this isn’t just a handshake – it’s headline news.
