Friday, July 26, 2024

Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4757: Donald Trump Handshake with Benjamin Netanyahu: "When I think about you, I touch myself" (apologies to Divinyls) – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 


Donald Trump met with War Criminal and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago today. Along with violating the Logan Act, Trump exhibited some bizarre body language behavior.


 
 
At first glance, you may think this Trump-Netanyahu handshake is an example of a "double-hander" – such as the one exemplified here, from Trump and Kim Jong Un's meeting on 30 June 2019. But you'd be very wrong...




Look carefully at Trump's left hand – his left hand is on top of his *own* right hand – and Netanyhu's hand is on the bottom.

While this is another example of Trump's attempt at dominance –  it's also extremely over-compensatory that betrays his profound narcissism. But there's other thought-emotions going on here ...

Trump's right hand is already on top of Netanyahu's – so Trump was already displaying dominance. The meeting is taking place in the US (Trump's country, not Netanyahu's) – and at Mar-a-Lago (Trump's "home") – Yet Trump still feels the need for additional dominance.

But why is Trump touching *his own* hand in this moment? This dynamic is profoundly Narcissistic. Trump is showing us that he would rather touch himself (during a handshake!) than touch Netanyahu (which also shows his distrust of Netanyahu). 

Additionally and perhaps most importantly, covering one's right hand (Trump's dominant hand) with the left hand is indicative of his surreptitious behavior.
 
This handshake variation is quite odd – even for Trump. It's also quite rare. So rare that you'll probably never see it again (except perhaps from Trump again).

SUMMARY: Donald Trump's bizarre self-touching handshake with Benjamin Netanyahu today indicates:

•  Trump's attempt at Dominance 
•  Trump's extreme Narcissism
•  Trump's distrust of Netanyahu
•  Clandestine behavior of Trump's

11 of 11/  Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com  

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