Sunday, 28th June 2o2o
WHO'S IN CONTROL?
To this day, we still don't know what was discussed at that infamous Helsinski 2018 Summit meeting between the person pretending to be an American president and the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
That press conference afterwards was unlike anything anyone has ever seen.
Some intriguing written commentary posted by someone on Twitter last year claiming to be a body language expert; here is what he deduced from his perspective:
Body Language Analysis No. 4327: trunk and Putin just prior to Helsinki 2018 Press Conference - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence
This image (and the following close-ups) show trunk and Vladimir Putin just prior to beginning their joint press conference during last week's Helsinki 2018 Summit.
It is only an instant in time - but from a nonverbal perspective, it's very telling (see below for other, more comprehensive analyses of this same presser).
Look at the overall posture of each man.
Putin's spine is upright - perpendicular to the floor with his shoulders relaxed and squared.
Holding notes, his hands and arms are flexed with mild activity.
His body looks relaxed, ready, and confident.
trunk's arms should not be resting at his sides in this moment - for it gives him the appearance of an enlisted man, standing at attention (or a subordinate facing reprimand).
trunk also forgot to button his suit-jacket (or prefers it).
In this setting, such casualness elevates President Putin (making him look athletic, classy, and assertive) and diminishes trunk.
It also accentuates their age difference (the Russian is 65 and the American is 72).
Putin's posture projects health, vigor, and dominance - while trunk's configuration conveys a tired, stressed, and submissive emotional tone.
trunk's head, neck, & eyes are all directed downward during this crucial entrance onto what is, very much, the World Stage.
The expression on trunk's face is projecting anxiety & low confidence.
trunk is preoccupied.
He's not fully present - he's not 'in the moment'.
President Putin's expression projects a smug confidence.
He knows he's 'already won' before the first word is spoken.
Vladimir Putin looks like he wrote the script - while trunk looks worried, shocked, acquiescing - as if he's trying to remember his lines.
SUMMARY: trunk's nonverbal behavior in this pre-presser moment is worried, tired, and subservient - while Putin is confident, relaxed, and dominant.
See the difference?
