There were multitudes of body language displays – as well as verbal and paralanguage behaviors – exhibited during their first handshake. One behavior in particular exhibited by Donald Trump during his handshake with Vice President Harris that was especially bizarre – did you see it?
The image shown above shows a wide-angle view of the behavior in question.
... and here's a close-up of that same moment:
Donald Trump's right index finger is extended up onto the inside (volar aspect) of Vice President Harris' wrist. It's not gripping her hand as is the universal custom around the world.
When, upon meeting someone, we extend our hand, it's a form of implied consent (i.e., I'm extending my hand in an invitation of greeting in hopes [and expectation] that you extend yours, so that we may shake hands).
And although, in certain cultures and contexts there are exceptions, in most all countries and in most all contexts throughout the world, the implied consent by a handshake does not give further consent to other bodily touching.
Donald Trump extended his finger up Vice President Kamala Harris' wrist (between the cuff of her shirt and the cuff of her jacket) as a deliberate, invasive, predatory, and sexual innuendo – in an attempt to intimidate and unnerve the Vice President.
Regardless of the other oddities of this handshake (see below), this particular invasive touching is not a component of a normal or acceptable handshake by any stretch of the imagination.
Had the Vice President been wearing a shorter sleeve – or had she not been wearing a non-flexible bracelet, it would have allowed Trump to be even more invasive by touching further down the skin of her wrist.
The index finger on the dominant hand (Trump's right hand and, of course, the shaking hand by convention) is the most powerful digit on either hand.
Men who consistently shake other men's hands with this in-pulling and/or up-pulling are narcissistic and manipulative...
His hesitation (possibly momentary disorientation) was classic low confidence behavior – which further primed Trump toward a state of emotional discomfort.
There are some who might say that by walking slowly, Trump forced Harris into a subordinate position – necessitating her to approach him. This is incorrect.
In this context, Harris' pace, energy, and early start on stage exemplified Harris' energy and initiative – in a word: Presidential.
Vice President Harris also spoke first – introducing herself with a confident and assertive tone as well as with proper volume saying, "Kamala Harris. Let's have a good debate", while Trump mumbled, "Nice to see ya [sic]. Have fun." Harris answered back, "Thank you."
While there are exceptions, in the vast majority of situations, and certainly in a debate scenario, if you want to project authority and confidence (i.e., be presidential), initiate the handshake – and introduce yourself. Donald Trump did neither of these.
Trump physically hesitated, mumbled, and took refuge behind his lectern.
And you've probably heard – until the debate, these two had never met (Note: because Donald Trump chose not to attend the 2020 Presidential Inauguration).
SUMMARY: Donald Trump, directed his index finger down-the-wrist of VP Kamala Harris. This was a sexual innuendo. This was predatory. It was an invasive and deliberate attempt to unnerve and intimidate the Vice President. It didn't work.
Trump's standard handshake MO of pulling a woman's hand-arm both disproportionately toward him as well as upward indicates his:
• Manipulative personality
• Objectification of women
• Predilection of violence toward women
