Angela Merkel Criticizes Donald Trump’s Attention-Seeking Behavior
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel disclosed that former U.S. President Donald Trump declined to shake her hand during a public meeting in March 2017. However, he later did so privately. She perceives Trump as someone who seeks to draw attention to himself, reports 24brussels.
Merkel stated, “I made a mistake saying, ‘Donald, let’s shake hands,’ and he did not shake. He wanted to attract attention. It’s what he wants: to divert attention and make everyone look at him.”
According to Merkel, the same dynamics are present in Trump’s trade policies. She expressed skepticism about his ability to achieve favorable outcomes for the United States.
In her memoirs, excerpts of which were published by the German weekly Die Zeit, Merkel elaborated on her interactions with Trump, likening his mindset to that of a developer who views everything through a business lens, reflecting his background prior to politics. She also noted that even at that time, he was “very enchanted” by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
