Decoding Trump’s body language – CNN
"Kids who grow up being the center of attention will rarely bother to emphasize that role or feel the need to fight for it," James said. "Winning one of the highest roles in the world doesn't seem to have stopped him feeling the need to assert his alpha power at every turn."
But it wasn't only the push, most experts actually looked beyond it and highlighted the way Trump repositioned his jacket as well as the lack of eye contact he made with Markovic after the incident.
People tend to apologize or even explain their actions in a non-verbal way after pushing someone, experts explained.
"You can tell from Trump's body language after the push that he seems to believe that top dog status is his right," James said.
Trump's trademark move has been called intimidating, aggressive and "hideous to watch" by experts.
But what's behind the power move? For them, it transmits a simple message: Trump is the alpha male.
It seems like Trump has turned his political-greeting rituals into a battlefield.
"This is a return to the business body language of the '80s when the toughest guy won the deal," James said.
"Macron is up to the game," said Louise Mahler, a body language and speech expert. "Trump plays to win but he did not on this occasion."
But Steve Van Aperen, an expert in behavior and body language, disagreed.
"This is a power-play handshake by Macron trying to display power and control over Trump but in my opinion Trump wins," he said.
Politicians, actors and pretty much all public figures have their own go-to "rest position," and Trump is no exception.
For Trump it's "the steeple," a hand position where he uses his fingers and fingertips touch to form a triangle. It transmits power, confidence and precision thinking, experts said.
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi share a laugh during a bilateral meeting in Riyadh.
Trump rests his hands on this position when he's seated and a very similar position called victory "O" when he's left standing.
"The steeple is a classic for 'thought leadership' and both satisfy the need for Trump's body to be unshielded (an action of trust) at all times," Mahler said.
US President Donald Trump attends a meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh on May 21.
Trump's most common facial expression -- often seen when he poses for the cameras -- combines a pronounced jaw, mouth clamp and staring eyes.
"As an intentional gesture I imagine he thinks it is keeping the alpha male look alive," James said.
This expression, James explains, is a popular pose among alpha animals, especially when they "sit away from lower-ranking members of their group" and chomp "on all the extra food they get as part of their status package," James said.
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Decoding Trump's body language - CNN
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