Body language expert says Trump was ‘reserved’ and showed ‘signs of tension’ during Keir Starmer meeting
AYLESBURY, ENGLAND: President Donald Trump’s meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, September 18, raised eyebrows not just for the signing of the new Tech Prosperity Deal but also for Trump’s demeanor.
According to body language analyst Inbaal Honigman, the president appeared unusually restrained and carried “signs of tension” throughout the exchange, per OK! Magazine.
Trump appeared ‘protective’ during meeting with Keir Starmer
“Trump and Starmer both lean over the paperwork, elbows wide, giving the Tech Prosperity Deal their full attention and showing the importance of the moment,” she explained. “The president's hands are close together, and he might be keeping his cards close to his chest, while the Prime Minister's hands are wider apart, fingers splayed, which indicates sincerity and honesty.”
Honigman argued that Trump’s posture still signaled an upper hand.
“As both are involved in creating a historic deal, there's still a big advantage to the US leader, as his body language suggests that he knows some stuff that his British counterpart doesn't know,” Honigman explained, adding that Starmer looked “relieved” afterward, as the meeting seemed to go smoothly.
The analyst said Trump’s hands were placed atop one another during key moments. “This is a protective move, where the president is telling himself not to jump ahead. As he's a businessman, he wants the other man to speak first, or to act first. This hand position can also be a soothing position, calming himself in a stressful environment,” she explained.
Trump showed ‘signs of tension’ before UK tech deal
The expert suggested that President Donald Trump appeared visibly tense before his recent meeting in the United Kingdom, though his demeanor shifted dramatically once a major tech deal was finalized.
“Even though Trump’s moves are a little more reserved than usual, with smaller hand gestures and more careful motions, his relief is apparent once the Tech deal is signed,” the expert observed.
Following the deal, however, the change was clear. “His smiles are genuine, he expresses happiness, which wasn’t the case going into the meeting,” the expert added, noting the president’s visible shift from restraint to ease.
“The huge difference between Trump's body language before the meeting — cautious, careful — and at the end of the meeting —jovial, calm — suggests that it was in fact the meeting itself which caused the president to display signs of tension,” the expert concluded.
Trump’s visit with the royals
The London stop was part of Trump’s wider state visit to the United Kingdom. Earlier in the week, he and first lady Melania Trump spent two days at Windsor Castle, attending a formal banquet with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Donald Trump received a lavish royal welcome at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, September 17, as King Charles III hosted the American president for the opening of a highly symbolic state visit to Britain.
The day’s pageantry began when Trump joined King Charles in the ornate Irish State Coach, a horse-drawn carriage long associated with state occasions, including Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding. The president and first lady, Melania Trump, had arrived earlier by Marine One, where they were greeted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate.
More than 1,000 UK service members stood in formation in the castle quadrangle to deliver a formal royal salute before the group departed in carriages for a grand procession.
