THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4359: Trump and Putin in Paris • • #Nonverbal #EmotionalIntelligence #BodyLanguage #BodyLanguageExpert #DonaldTrump #VladimirPutin #EmmanuelMacron #AngelaMerkel #WWI100 #WorldWarI
1/ During the remembrance ceremonies marking the Centenary of the end of WWI today in Paris, the interaction between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was noteworthy.
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the two men's exchange.
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the two men's exchange.
2/ Many people have speculated regarding the significance of President Trump's jacket adjustment after shaking hands with President Putin. This is a common alpha-upregulatory behavior. 
3/ Alpha upregulators are a set of body language behaviors displayed by individuals who normally may be moderately or even highly alpha personalities - when they're caught in the midst of a relatively beta moment. This is exactly what's occurring here.
4/ Although he's normally alpha, Donald Trump feels he's beta to Vladimir Putin's alpha status. It's important to emphasize that this is Trump's perception - and this is why he feels the need to upregulate.
5/ Yet while Trump's psyche attempts to dial itself up, Putin is already walking away to his seat.
6/ This is literally the same behavior of a beta gorilla halfheartedly pounding his chest - after the alpha male gorilla has already established his dominance.
7/ Now, let's back up a bit. Just as Putin finishes shaking Trump's hand, he's trying hard to suppress his mouth smile.
8/ This is not a sincere smile - and in Putin's efforts to suppress it, along with his tightened mustache region, his eyelids are opened very wide as his eyebrows also elevate.
9/ Putin, an ex-KGB officer, in this moment, cannot maintain a poker face (a skill at which he's quite accomplished and otherwise routinely successful). This is profound.
10/ Putin then gives Trump the Thumbs-up gesture. This universal nonverbal signal of optimism very much matches his facial expression.
11/ Note how his forehead has now relaxed, his eyebrows are also lowered and he has concave-up furrows in his lower eyelids (all requirements for a sincere smile). His mouth smile, while still somewhat suppressed, has broken through the thin facade. Putin is pleased.
12/ As Vladimir reaches to shake Melania's hand (whilst still smiling), Trump pats Putin on the back. Note Trump's Jaw Retraction - along with an Inward Lip Roll. In this context, this nonverbal cluster indicates an effort to suppress strong emotions.
13/ Notice Emmanuel Macron's expression in this instant - it's one of contempt (a slight snarl-like configuration).
14/ Trump maintains this jaw retraction as he stands back up. Macron's expression of contempt continues - combined with his right forehead elevating in disbelief.
Angela Merkel's central forehead is elevated along with a pseudo-smile, indicating her disgust and incredulity.
Angela Merkel's central forehead is elevated along with a pseudo-smile, indicating her disgust and incredulity.
15/ Putin then pats Trump on his left arm - just above his elbow. It's important to note that Putin did not touch Macron or Merkel in this manner.
16/ But if we look back even further - at a few crucial seconds -just as Putin was approaching the other leaders, we see a display of his which was omitted in the first video.
17/ Please watch just a few seconds - beginning at the 1:37:45 mark - of this second, comprehensive video:
18/ As Putin approaches - walking closer to the other heads-of-state, he shows us a classic Tongue-In-Cheek display.
19/ In this context - clustered with the other simultaneous nonverbal signals (e.g., his elevated central forehead), Putin's tongue-in-cheek behavior telegraphs his smug feelings of "I just won", "I gotcha".
20/ SUMMARY: Donald Trump's nonverbal behavior in Paris today, indicates he feels that he is beta to Vladimir Putin's alpha. The American president clearly doth acquiesce.
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21/ Moreover, Putin cannot contain his sincere emotions of joy-happiness with his dominance over Trump - and by extension, the United States.
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