President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump faced each other in a closely watched Oval Office meeting that marked a significant moment in the American political transition.
According to Newsweek, leading body language experts analyzed the subtle gestures, postures, and nonverbal cues exchanged between the two leaders during their November 13 encounter at the White House.
The meeting, which took place in front of a warm fireplace, demonstrated an unexpected level of civility between the political rivals.
Biden welcomed Trump back to the White House and promised a smooth transition, while Trump expressed gratitude for Biden's cooperation despite their history of sharp criticism toward each other.
Dr. Abbie Maroño, behavioral scientist and director of education at Social-Engineer LLC, observed mutual respect and confidence from both leaders.
Their firm handshake and upright postures indicated a commitment to cooperation, with neither attempting to dominate the interaction.
Susan Constantine from The Human Behavior Lab noted contrasting styles between the two leaders. Trump displayed a relaxed readiness with controlled facial expressions, while Biden showed a more rigid posture and forced smile, suggesting some underlying discomfort.
Dr. Lillian Glass highlighted the genuine smiles exchanged between both leaders, indicating a departure from their previous antagonistic relationship. She noted Trump's relaxed demeanor with steepled hands, while Biden adopted a more masculine stance with widespread legs.
Body language expert Jan Hargrave identified a subtle power play during the handshake, with Trump's pointer finger placement and hand positioning suggesting attempts at control. Meanwhile, Biden's forward-leaning posture and hand placement on his knees indicated readiness and engagement.
Tonya Reiman observed that while both leaders initially mirrored each other's body language, their lack of sustained eye contact revealed underlying tension. She noted Biden's hand movements suggested eagerness to conclude the meeting, while Trump's elevated chin projected superiority.
Chris Ulrich emphasized the significance of the meeting's setting, particularly noting how the roaring fireplace created an atmosphere of tradition and continuity. He observed that Trump appeared more at ease compared to his 2016 transition meeting with Obama.
Patti Wood detected unusual "down" energy from Trump despite his victory, noting his slumped posture and low-volume delivery. This contrasted with Biden's more upright positioning and apparent attempt to maintain professional courtesy.
The experts agreed that despite their political differences and history of verbal confrontations, both leaders managed to project an image of stability and respect for the democratic transition process. Their behavior suggested a conscious effort to prioritize institutional traditions over personal animosities.
