If the remarks did not make the message clear, the body language appeared to fill in the gaps.
President Trump’s Tuesday meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suggested a striking level of rapport between the two leaders, a body language expert told The Post, citing Trump’s gestures in particular.
Lillian Glass, author of “The Body Language of Liars,” said Trump displayed several revealing signals during his interactions with Erdoğan, including open palms and warm physical contact.
On the opening day of his trip to the annual NATO summit, Trump said he intends to remove weapons-sale sanctions on Turkey that he imposed during his first term, a period marked by repeated clashes with Erdoğan. He also said he was weighing approval of F-35 stealth fighter jet sales, a move that would strengthen Erdoğan’s military position in the region.
According to Glass, it was clear from the outset that Erdoğan was back in Trump’s favor.
After coming down the stairs of Air Force One, Trump welcomed the Turkish president by “clap[ping] his hands in delight and then reach[ing] out his hand to [Erdoğan] with an open palm, which is a very positive welcome greeting,” she said.
MORE STORY: Woman Says 7-Cent Supplement Helped Her Lose 126 Pounds in One Year
“He put his hand over Erdoğan’s shoulder, which is an intimate gesture that they are close friends. He also st[ood] very close to him, which is another sign of their closeness, literally and figuratively. Trump again reache[d] out and pat him on the arm.”
As the two men walked together, Glass noted, “Erdoğan grab[bed] onto Trump… and even bump[ed] arms at one point.”
Follow The Post’s live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis
“With the close proximity of their leaning into one another, there is a mutual affection towards one another and clearly a friendship,” she said. “Erdoğan shows respect by allowing Trump to take center stage and walk in front of him… and keeps holding onto Trump’s back during the whole conversation.”
Later, during a bilateral press availability where they took questions, “[Trump] brings up that Turkey has been a great ally [to] the US, as he uses open-palm, wide, expansive gestures which indicate credibility and sincerity.”
Trump praised his host’s actions during the Iran war, favorably appraising his actions as helpful while bashing other American allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy, for withholding assistance.
