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 overcompensatory 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
Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com
Ω
Trump’s handshake may also be indicative of another male dominance gesture: one in which he would metaphorically touch his genitalia (the folklore that the length of the long finger is the same as one’s penis) in the presence of a ‘lesser’ male. The handshake is a subtle and covert display in a deeply insecure man.
Trumps narcissism and concomitant insecurity isn’t one dimensional, it has many layers as Jack indicates. Trump sees himself as an ‘Ubermensch’ and a sexual powerhouse. Rape is about power over the victim. He is an adjudicated rapist in the E. Jean Carroll case. He has been accused by over two dozen women and allegedly numerous children during his association with the repugnant Jeffery Epstein.
All indications are that Trump has never been tender or loving in his intimate relationships. Toxic male dominance is his modus operandi whether it’s the actual sexual act or non sexual, as in ‘man spreading’ or the handshake with Netanyahu.
Could it also show that Trump is anti-semitic? In other words, perhaps Trump chose not to put his left hand under Netanyahu's hand because he didn't want to touch Netanyahu any more than he had to?