Trump, Obama meet to discuss transition of power1:13
The White House says the first meeting between Obama and Trump was "less awkward than some might have expected" as the pair discussed making a smooth transition of power, as speculations swirl about Trump's cabinet picks. Jillian Kitchener reports.
President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Awkward. Forced. Uneasy. The Victor and the Vanquished.
That’s what the body language of President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shouted at their meeting in the White House today.
If ever there was a set of images that parallels Russell Crowe as the gladiator standing over the loser, this was it.
It’s hard when two people who clearly don’t like each other have to meet publicly while displaying civility and a sense of unity towards each other.
When you listen to the words of this meeting you can be left feeling that these are two friends who are trying to encourage a happy outcome. But watch them on TV with the sound turned off and you’ll get a very different perspective.
Body language reveals how people really feel about things and it accounts for 60 per cent to 80 per cent of all face-to-face interaction between people.
During this brief encounter, both men sat with their legs spread just as alpha-male apes do to display their masculinity and to prevent the other guy from getting into a one-up position. They both minimised mutual eye-contact, opting to look at the reporters instead.
Awkward encounter: President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands following their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/APSource:AP
Trump sat forward the entire time in order to show dominance and displayed his classic trademark gesture of superiority — the Hand Steeple. People who feel confident, superior or authoritative often use this gesture.
Trump traditionally holds the Hand-Steeple higher at chest level in order to give him an air of confidence and even arrogance, but in today’s encounter he kept it subtly low.
He also used his typical tight-lipped-smile, revealing he was withholding some strong words and emotions about his meeting with Obama.
Classic Donald: The Hand-Steeple on show, but it was kept low. He also had a tight-lipped smile. Picture: Jim Watson/AFPSource:AFP
Under pressure — such as in this staged meeting — our real feelings and emotions are often revealed through our gestures and expressions. Obama — like Hillary Clinton — is a seasoned, polished career politician who is excellent at giving persuasive, convincing speeches to his audience.
It’s really not much different to professional acting and can make it difficult to pick whether or not that person is being genuine. While Obama generally put on an upbeat ‘brave face’ for the audience, his body language leaked a story of defeat.
Obama put on a brave face. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/APSource:AP
Not so with the comparatively inexperienced Trump however — while he has a limited range of repetitive gestures and expressions, what you see is what you get. He says what he feels and his body language is congruent with what he is saying — whether you like it or not.
In other words, everything matches.
Trump is a businessman, cut and dry, black and white.
In today’s White House meeting, Obama, despite his best efforts, revealed a rare display of emotional defeat while Donald Trump was a well-contained version of his usual, dominant self.
Trump says what he feels. Picture: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/APSource:AP
The new book from Allan and Barbara Pease, The Answer, is published this week.
The Answer by Allan and Barbara Pease.Source:Supplied