It was a meeting of two strong personalities. There was a powerful man in the room, and it wasn't Vladimir Putin. It began with a backstage meeting at the G20 Summit. Mounted cameras caught the whole thing.
Trump knows how to walk into a room. He's charismatic and shaken by no one. With the confidence he exhibited approaching the Russian President, I almost expected the American President to say, "Trump, Donald J. Trump." (cue secret agent music) It was a strong handshake with Trump's powerful personality slathered all over it. It seemed to launch a private joke. They both looked as if they were on the edge of a chuckle. But, as they shook hands, Trump reached with his left hand to pat the underside of Putin's arm.