Spicer: Trump didn't hear Merkel's question about a handshake

During their first meeting at the White House on Friday, President Trump appeared to ignore a request from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to shake hands during a photo op.

"I don't think he heard the question," White House press secretary Sean Spicer told Der Spiegel, the Washington Examiner reports.

The snub, whether intentional or not, created an awkward momentbetween the two leaders, who already have had chilly relations since Trump claimed Merkel was "ruining Germany" during the U.S. presidential campaign.

"Do you want to have a handshake?" Merkel asked Trump as the two sat side by side in the Oval Office. Trump turned his ear more toward Merkel as the question was asked but offered no response.

Photographers also asked for the two leaders to shake hands.