Body Language Expert Reveals Erdogan's Dominance Over Trump in Summit Meeting

A body language expert analyzed the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting a notable power struggle behind their public smiles and handshakes. Moran Klepper, a lecturer and specialist in body language, explained how Erdogan managed to appear dominant over Trump during their encounter, a dynamic unusual for the American president.

Klepper pointed out Erdogan's characteristic assertive gestures, such as controlling Trump's hand with his palm during their handshake, a move Erdogan has used before with other leaders like Emmanuel Macron. Despite Trump's attempts to assert his own dominance through firm handshakes and warnings, Erdogan succeeded in projecting control in the widely circulated images from the meeting.

What surprised Klepper was Trump's unusual willingness to allow Erdogan to lead this physical display of power, a departure from Trump's typical behavior with other world leaders where he usually ensures he appears dominant. The expert noted that Trump's occasional submissive posture during the meeting suggests a mutual respect between the two, which is not commonly observed in Trump's interactions with other leaders.

The analysis underscores the subtle but significant nonverbal communication at play during high-profile diplomatic meetings, revealing underlying tensions and power dynamics that may not be evident from official statements alone.