Trump, 80, grips hand of India's Prime Minister Modi during unstabilizing moment on teetering risers

By ELINA SHIRAZI, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER and JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Published: 21:14, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 21:20, 16 June 2026 Diplomacy is fragile, and it is all about offering a helping hand. That mantra played out very practically at the G7 in France on Tuesday.  President Donald Trump - who just turned 80 - accepted a helping hand from India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'family photo' of world leaders. As Trump bounded up a single step onto a riser for the photo before a working dinner, he looked unsteady for a fleeting moment.   While walking towards the photo location, Trump was looking down, carefully watching his step while navigating both grass and stepping stones.  When he approached the step, several hands shot out to help the US President and Trump grabbed onto the arm belonging to Modi.  With a half step and a full extension - with the Indian PM's forearm firmly in his grasp - Trump made it up and turned to face the cameras as nearly every other world leader on the risers watched his every move.   The seemingly small moment has caught the attention of the President's critics online, who claim it shows signs of Trump being unsteady on his feet.    'Trump clutches Modi for support as he tries to climb a single small step,' journalist Aaron Rupar reacted.  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers US President Donald Trump his arm before posing on risers for a photo at the G7 summit in France Trump also prompted some smiles with his gestures towards French First Lady Brigitte Macron Trump held onto Modi's hand as he stepped off the stairs following the photo Trump also gripped onto Modi's hand as he stepped down from the one-step riser following the photo.  Many of the world leaders were accompanied by their spouses. However, First Lady Melania Trump did not attend. She was last spotted with the President at the UFC White House event on Sunday.   The President has had a whirlwind schedule on Wednesday, meeting with the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine individually.  He's also participated in multiple group meetings with the various G7 partner countries and wider delegations, including the leaders of South Korea, Kenya, Brazil, Egypt and India.  He has discussed how he's winding down the Iran war and that he has secured an agreement that will ensure they will not pursue nuclear weapons.  Trump also took a swing at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for killing 'too many people' in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hezbollah militants.  The President added that perhaps the Syrian president could take up the fighting against Hezbollah instead of the Israelis.  On Wednesday, the President will have additional meetings with the G7 leaders and individual leaders with Modi and the President of Egypt before holding a press conference.  French President Emmanuel Macron helping his wife after the group photo First Lady Melania Trump did not attend the G7 gathering though many other spouses of world leaders did. Above she's shown with the President at the UFC White House event on Sunday  He also announced on Tuesday that he would extend his stay in France to attend a dinner at Versailles after receiving a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.  A signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding to extend a 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran is scheduled to be signed on Friday in Switzerland.  Trump has not confirmed whether or not he will stay in Europe through the end of the week to attend the ceremony.  Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.