Handwriting experts reveal what Donald Trump’s use of 'straight lines' in his signature says about him
WASHINGTON, DC: As Donald Trump's signature continues to appear prominently on political documents and legal paperwork, it’s not just political analysts taking notice; handwriting experts are weighing in too.
According to professional graphologists, the president’s distinctive, jagged autograph reveals a complex blend of personality traits, including confidence, defensiveness, aggression, and a deep-rooted need for control.
The angles, spacing, and pressure in his signature are anything but random, say experts like Valerie Weil and Sheila Lowe, both veterans in the world of handwriting, reports Buzzfeed.
Trump even once claimed that he’s a handwriting analyst on X (formerly Twitter).
I am a handwriting analyst. Jack Lew’s handwriting shows, while strange, that he is very secretive—not necessarily a bad thing.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2013
Experts break down Donald Trump’s signature
“There’s a lot of practice to signatures, and remember, that’s the one thing that you write more consistently throughout your lifetime than anything else,” Valerie Weil explained. “You write your signature over and over and over again.”
Weil pointed out that Trump’s signature is difficult to read because the letters merge, making it hard to distinguish any individual characters. “The ambiguity behind his signature says that you never really get to know the real me,” Weil said, adding, “He keeps that more private.”
Lowe explained that Trump’s signature sends a clear message. “He wants to be seen as strong and bold and somebody that you don’t mess with,” she said. “That’s what I get from that signature.”
Lowe pointed out that the way Trump’s signature is squeezed together with barely any space between the letters or words reflects a need to control and contain.
According to Lowe, “So, this is somebody who has a strong need to feel like he’s in control of his environment, which can make him come on strong in protecting that so this is manifested by the way he acts in an authoritarian manner, dominating the environment, just taking over.”
Weil pointed out that even the size of the letters in Trump’s signature says something. “The capital ‘T’ in ‘Trump’ is the biggest, which shows a real emphasis on the family name,” she explained. In contrast, the “J” for his middle name is barely noticeable. “But as far as where he puts the prominence, he is very comfortable with being associated with the Trump family,” Weil added.
Donald Trump’s pen strokes suggest 'aggression'
Graphologists like Kathi Lowe and Elaine Weil describe Donald Trump’s penmanship as an intense mix of sharp angles, dark lines, and assertive movement. “Everything in handwriting is symbolic, really, and so we look at whether the lines are curved or the lines are straight, and when there’s a lot of straight lines, as in his case, it’s a lot of aggression there and possibly anger and things like that,” Lowe explained. “So, what we look for, hopefully, is a balance, but there is no balance in that signature.”
Weil described his signature as rushed and forceful. “The main thing that I see when I look at his signature is the impatience. It’s fast. It’s moving. He does not like to look back. He does not like to have to double-check himself. He’s very insistent, almost to the point of arrogance.”
Beyond the signature’s speed, analysts point to other telling characteristics. Trump’s handwriting often takes on a square shape, something Lowe says reflects a craving for stability.
“The body of the text is a kind of a squarish form, and square handwriting, especially in this case, are a sign of a deep need for security,” Lowe said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean financial security, although it may, but it just means that person is always kind of focused internally on building.”
Interestingly, Trump often writes on a diagonal, which Lowe interprets as a subtle rebellion against convention. “Whenever he can, he writes on a diagonal, and it’s kind of a rebellious thing, you know? I’m going to do things my own way because other people don’t normally do that,” she said.
Weil noted that Trump’s signature often slants, which typically signals an outgoing, forward-facing personality.
Experts say Donald Trump’s handwriting reveals patterns of restricted verbal expression
Donald Trump mostly uses a thick felt pen. According to Weil, this produces bold, strong lines with little physical effort, symbolizing someone who seeks to project strength while exerting minimal energy.
Experts note that the letters in Trump’s handwriting are obstructed. “He always uses, I mean, virtually always uses, a thick felt pen,” Lowe observed.
The thick, bold strokes of the pen carry an impression of authority and strength, explained Weil.
According to Lowe, people who gravitate toward thick felt pens tend to enjoy the finer things in life. “I know he doesn’t drink, but in general, fine wine and good food and strong colors and things like that, but without putting a lot of energy into getting them,” she explained.
Lowe concluded, “I like to say that handwriting reveals a lot of really important information about a person, but it doesn’t tell everything. We can’t say, ‘Oh yeah, I can tell everything about you from your handwriting,’ but there are certain things, those social skills, or social style, intellectual style, state of the ego, but we certainly can’t tell all your specific secrets.”
