Body Language Analysis No. 4271: Donald Trump's Hand Holding While Pulling of Emmanuel Macron - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

One of the more unusual moments of Emmanuel Macron's State Visit occurred on Tuesday as Donald Trump held the French President's hand - while pulling him along outside the West Wing of the White House.

It will come as a surprise to many Americans that it's commonplace in many countries for men - who are platonic friends - to hold hands with other men in public.

It's a sign of mutual respect when a Saudi man holds another man's hand - side by side - in public. In this second image, George W. Bush is seen strolling on his Texas ranch holding hands with Saudi King Abdullah in 2005.

In a similar manner to President Trump, Chris Brown pulled Rihanna along as they left the Staples Center after a Lakers game (Christmas Day 2012). Brown routinely displayed this behavior with her. Recall that Chris Brown has a well-documented history of physical abusing Rihanna.


Summary: Donald Trump's hand holding while pulling Emmanuel Macron was profoundly patronizing and insulting nonverbal behavior intended to belittle, embarrass, and exert dominance over the French President and is commonly displayed by Malignant Narcissists. It's critical to note just how contradictory Trump's body language is compared with his verbal language (filled with high praise and expressions of friendship) toward Macron. Whenever the nonverbal and the verbal behavior differ - it's the nonverbal signs which always tell the truth.

This dynamic of Hand-Holding-While-Pulling-Along-One's-Partner also carries with it two additional ominous warnings - for it not only signals a man who has a strong predilection for objectifying his partner (e.g., NOT perceiving them as an equal human being - but as an object to be used and discarded), - but it also is a red flag for a man with a tendency toward violence rather than diplomacy.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4270: Donald Trump Brushes Dandruff off Emmanuel Macron

Body Language Analysis No. 4268: Benedict Cumberbatch, Schadenfreude, and The Grinch

Body Language Analysis No. 4265: Donald Trump regarding Mike Pompeo's Chances of Being Confirmed as Secretary of State

Body Language Analysis No. 4263: Kellyanne Conway regarding James Comey's Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4253: Tiger Woods at The 2018 Masters - Nonverbal Biofeedback, Sport psychology, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4230: Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump, and the Home Field Advantage

Body Language Analysis No. 4217: Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther, Anxiety, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4183: Aly Raisman, Larry Nassar, and USA Gymnastics

Body Language Analysis No. 4100: Bryan Cranston and The Eyelid Pull 

___________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3546: Carly Fiorina's and Ted Cruz's Awkward Raised Hand Holding - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

With a bit of additional editing (making this already cringe-worthy moment seem even worse), a portion of this political faux pas is now a viral gif (see below). The above video is the original moment, however. It was captured on 27 April 2016, shortly after Ted Cruz announced his running mate in Carly Fiorina.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis. 

Carly begins touching Cruz's left, upper arm-shoulder and slides her had down his arm. This momentarily puts her in the alpha role to Cruz's beta.

There is an inordinate amount of time spent with their hands behind Fiorina's lower back as they initiate their hand-holding. It's very noteworthy here that the corners of Ms. Fiorina's mouth are directed downward - whereas Senator Cruz's are turned upward.

A continuation of the same "arm wrestling" behind Fiorina's lower back.

Next, with their hands down low (and finally centered between them), Carly has positioned her hand in front - as this would have allowed Senator Cruz's hand to be in front once they are swung up above their heads - giving him the position of nonverbal dominance. As she is the potential VP candidate to his Presidential - such acquiescence is natural and expected. 

As their arm swing upward, about one-third of the way up, the Texas Senator re-adjust his hand. However, then the former HP CEO takes the position of dominance - gripping her had around Cruz's fingers. This again puts Fiorina in much more of an alpha role.

Seconds later, Ted, not wanting to continue his beta behavior - again readjusts. He continues to have a difficult time of it however - fumbling twice when their hands are full raised - finally getting his hand higher and enveloping Carly's.

This nonverbal interaction is more than just a simple fumbling of hands - rather it reveals a fundamental emotional belief of Carly Fiorina's. She does not at all believe herself to be beta to Ted Cruz.


This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication No. 3545: Eric Trump's Reaction to President Obama's Comments at the 2016 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3452: A Ted Cruz Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3310: Carly Fiorina's response to Donald Trump's, "Look at that Face!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2749: President Obama, Ukraine's Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session
  




_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2924: Michael Brown, Captain Ron Johnson, Church Rally and Ferguson, Missouri - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ron Johnson, a Captain in the Missouri State Highway Patrol gave a very moving speech yesterday at a Rally in Ferguson, Missouri for the people of that town - and of course in the memory of Michael Brown. It was a very moving speech. Captain Johnson's empathy and sincerity quotients are extremely high. He is a both a natural leader and fantastic speaker - two qualities that few elected leaders ever achieve. 

Most of the time, the hands clasped in front of the body is not recommended - particularly for those in such a high-alpha/leadership position. Had Captain Johnson been giving a different speech in a different setting, it is very probable he would not have had his hands configured in such a manner. However in the context of a memorial service (even though he is not clergy) his clasping hands is variation of a prayer and more specifically shows deferential behavior and respect to Michael Brown, his family and those attending this Church rally.

Pointing to Michael Brown's family members with a palm-up, flexed elbow, fingers slightly apart - is rarely seen - yet by far the best way Johnson, or anyone in his position should point at an audience. Anything else would be too alpha and offensive. By pointing in this manner, he both engenders and shows respect -  as well as builds rapport.

This is the only negative critique on Captain Johnson for this speech - he was pointing slightly out towards the audience (and only partially down) with his index finger when he should have (and had probably meant to) point directly downward instead.

Again, while index finger pointing towards the audience is almost never recommended, one can point to oneself - as long as it is not done in arrogance. Here he was holding himself up to a higher standard - thus a humbling gesture.

Here Johnson points to the side - where there is no audience - when he references his son. Again - not pointing at the audience is nonverbally very wise. 

Here Captain Johnson displays a "Loose fist, thumb up" illustrator. This nonverbal is used instead of pointing toward the audience. It displays some alpha characteristics without being too much so - thus an alpha-beta hybrid.

Most "leaders" are often too aggressive in both their verbal language and their body language - when moderation, humility and empathy are called for. An alpha-beta hybrid (of which this is but one type) helps to maintain these assertive, alpha and leadership qualities without being arrogant, patronizing or condescending.

One last place that is acceptable to point - skyward. This nonverbal illustrator of course must also be made in with verbally congruency. 










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2923: Barack Obama, Jaw Clenching and Diffusing Anger - Body Language as a Form of Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2160:  Index Finger (Forefinger) Pointing in Politics - The Third (and Final) 2012 Presidential Debates - Body Language of Being an Alpha Male without Offending

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2668: Ryan Seacrest - Less Offensive Variations on Pointing - Body Language Nuance

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1233:  Putin's Pointing Pen

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2710: Microsoft's New CEO Sayta Nadella's Body Language vs. Bill Gates

 ________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2826: Caroline Wozniacki & Rory McIlroy Call Off Their Engagement - Body Language and Dominance (PHOTO)

Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy called off their engagement yesterday.

This image was taken one week ago in London. From a body language perspective it is notable because it shows a switch in dominance. Ms. Wozniacki's hand is on top in the dominant position - which of course leaves Mr. McIlroy's on the bottom (submissive and demure).

This hand-holding configuration is the opposite from the vast majority (96%) of male-female relationships - as well as numerous previous examples of Wozniacki and McIlroy. Thus the timing of Caroline's recent and new-found alpha emotional mindset strongly implies that she was the decision-maker in the couples break-up.

Temporary shifts (e.g. female alpha - male beta) in such hand-holding dominance signals who holds the cards regarding the subject of the latest discussion-disagreement.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1921:  Who was More Dominant -  Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2520:  Cristiano Ronaldo greets Gareth Bale at  First Training Day at Real Madrid,  Dominance, Team Captain and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret # 1500:  Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2825: Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki break off their Engagement - Body Language Tell


_________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2384: Bashar al-Assad on 1 May 2013 - Demure, Beta and Nervous - Body Language Lessons on how NOT to appear Confident

Today Bashar al-Assad made a rare public appearance. In this brief video clip and in the still image below, Syria's Tyrant President displays several low confidence signals consistent with high anxiety and low confidence outside a power plant in Damascus.

The President's elbows are constantly held close to his torso. In the context of a leadership role this is a strong signal of lack of confidence and ownership. It is very beta for a male, even effeminate. He has displayed this for some time. He knows his days are numbered. Women leaders should also avoid this tendency when speaking in public or on camera. It is a common configuration used by news reporters. Do not let the constant exposure to this industry specific idiosyncrasy (which should be avoided there as well) alter your interpretation of this body language.

Al-Assad's hand gestures (illustrators) are very rapid here - more so than in videos of the previous two years (thus filtering out any cultural or personal tendencies) are also consistent with anxiety. Moreover he constantly returns to his default of holding hands with himself (below with a finger intertwined hold) - more demure, beta and confidence lacking signals. His nonverbals project the emotions of a frightened man, which indeed is and should be. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1861:  Bashar al-Assad's Denial and Deception

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1162:  Ahmadinejad, Napoleon, al-Assad and Dominance

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1106:  Subtle Fear Display of al-Assad

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2257:  Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian People and Spotting a Sociopath - Another Naked Emperor

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 665:  A Strong Sign of Insincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Exercise # 2012: Got Empathy?  An Appeal to Asma al-Assad  Diplomacy through Unconventional Channels 

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1095:  al-Assad Feels a Weak Link with Russia

__________________________________________________________________