Expert reveals 'telling difference' in Trump’s opening and closing handshakes with Putin at Alaska summit

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: President Donald Trump appeared all smiles as he greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, August 15, during their long-awaited face-to-face meeting, marking their first in-person encounter since 2018. But while their meeting began warmly, the farewell handshake carried a noticeably cooler tone, hinting at a shift in mood.

According to body language expert Judi James, Trump’s initial gestures — clapping, repeated handshakes, and even patting Putin on the shoulder — signaled unusually affectionate behavior toward the Russian leader.

By the end of the summit, which concluded without a peace agreement on Ukraine, Trump’s demeanor had turned more serious and reserved, suggesting tension behind the scenes.

Body language expert notes Trump’s warm welcome to Putin on US soil

Trump stepped off his plane first, pumped his fist, and walked down the staircase onto the red carpet to await Putin’s arrival. Dressed in a navy blue suit and his signature bright red tie, he stood in sharp contrast to Putin, who appeared moments later in a black suit with a darker red tie.

As the Russian leader, noticeably shorter than Trump, made his long walk from the aircraft, Trump clapped and smiled, offering an enthusiastic—if unusual—welcome for a figure accused of authoritarian aggression.

The two leaders appeared friendly as they exchanged a handshake and shared what seemed to be light conversation.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Trump delivered “the ultimate ego-stroke” to Putin by greeting him like a celebrity guest during their first in-person meeting since Trump’s second term began.

“The gesture seemed to signal reward and celebration. As an act of greeting, it was the ultimate ego-stroke. Trump greeted Putin like a chat show host who has landed an A-list guest,” James said, noting the warm and enthusiastic display of affection.

Putin, in turn, appeared visibly pleased by the reception, with James describing his reaction as “purring with delight.”

“His cheeks were rounded in a beaming, smug smile that he turned to the world’s press,” James explained. “He’d been ‘stroked’ by Trump on arrival, and this ‘purring’ expression reflected his delight.”

Judi James notes a shift in Trump’s demeanor after Putin summit

James observed a clear change in Trump’s body language once the two leaders entered the room for their official talks.

According to her, Trump adopted a more dominant “heavyweight power pose” as the conversation turned serious.

“After the overkill cordiality of his greeting ritual, Trump’s grim expression and his tapping fingertips suddenly gave him a tougher and less optimistic look,” James noted.

She also highlighted how their final handshake reflected this shift.

“Trump’s final handshake mirrored his first but with a telling difference,” she said. “The shake at the end came with the same extended hand and cocked thumb, but there was also a hard-looking stare. Trump dropped Putin’s hand quickly this time—no patting, no pulling him closer.”

Notably, Trump and Putin paused for a photo opportunity on a raised stage marked with an “Alaska 2025” sign, where they exchanged another handshake for the cameras.

As the two stood in front of reporters, one journalist shouted a pointed question at Putin: “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” Putin responded by pointing to his ear and shrugging, signaling either confusion or deliberate avoidance.

Without acknowledging the question, Trump placed a hand on Putin’s back and guided him toward his presidential limousine.

Both leaders then rode together to the summit venue, where discussions on possible steps to end the ongoing war in Ukraine were set to take place.