DONALD Trump and Keir Starmer have met on the US President’s historic state visit – and a body language expert has dissected the key clues that reveal the truth behind the two men’s relationship.
Darren Stanton revealed the bombshell tells of the UK and US leaders – pointing to their initial handshake, strong eye contact, and the unexpected jostle.
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The meeting comes as Starmer has been left reeling after being hit by crisis after crisis – from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal to his Deputy PM’s resignation.
But his apparently cosy friendship with the Don could be a major boost for the Labour government – with new trade deals being signed up.
Follow our live blog on Trump’s state visit here…
Trump flew to Berkshire in Marine One and then drove to Chequers in his epic car The Beast, where he shook hands with the PM.
Leading body language analyst Stanton told what he thought of the pairs’ physical behaviour at the meetup.
He also detailed Trump’s arsenal of power plays he usually deploys on small fry world leaders – before revealing whether or not the US President used his tactics on Sir Keir.
Noting the initial impressions, Stanton told The Sun: “They had this brief handshake, a few reciprocal touches.
“When they shook hands, Trump held Starmer’s elbow, and then as they walked into the door, Starmer put his hand on Trump’s shoulder.”
He explained: “These are all gestures of authenticity of mutual respect and understanding.”
The expert told how Trump didn’t appear to be using any of his usual power play tactics which he so often deploys on other heads of state.
“In previous meetings with other politicians, we see this bone crusher handshake where he [Trump] pulls the politician towards himself to test his liability,” Stanton explained.
“We didn’t see any mind games that Trump usually plays with people where he crushes people’s hands, [or] yanks them towards him and does several power pats.”
The expert told how there was no condescension or contempt towards Starmer from Trump, which the President sometimes displays with a half-smile.
Stanton said we didn’t see any aggressive gestures as Trump was “showing maximum respect back to the King and to Keir Starmer“.
Speculating on why that may be, the psychology specialist said: “Both of them know the importance that this stage goes well.
“Both men are on their best behaviour.”
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The PM and Trump have an unlikely friendship, with the President previously calling Sir Keir a “good man” with a “beautiful accent”.
The bromance has led to a new “Tech Prosperity Deal” with the United States, due to be signed today.
For Stanton, there has been “nothing so far but gestures of respect” between Trump and Starmer.
He said he could tell that there was a deep mutual rapport between the two because of a few factors.
The expert said that their “great eye contact” paired with their “matching and mirroring of posture” proved they were in a harmonious relationship.
Commenting on the subtle jostle that the PM and President shared, Stanton said he didn’t believe it to be significant.
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Comparing the awkward tussle to a friendly banter at events like weddings, he said: “Sometimes people go slightly awry, but I don’t think we can read into that at all”.
He explained how context helped demonstrate why it wasn’t a power gesture.
“We have to look at the baseline behaviours of the whole event, and there’s not a single person between them has demonstrated any kind of power gestures, which is what politicians so often do,” Stanton said.
“So I think we can put that down to a bit of a blip.”
Looking forward to the rest of the summit, Stanton said: “I do think Trump is going to exercise some sort of power gestures.”
He said that these power plays may be in public but could be deployed in private.
Stanton revealed: “We’ve had the pomp and circumstance, we’ve had the tradition, we’ve had historic kind of gestures – so now it’s down to business.”
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Sir Keir faces tense talks with Trump at his Chequers country retreat as the two get down to the thorny political agenda following yesterday’s pomp and pageantry.
Middle East negotiations could prove tricky given the President’s fury with the PM’s decision to formally recognise the state of Palestine in a matter of weeks.
According to the body language specialist, Starmer is “far more the submissive man”.
From a behavioural point of view Stanton said: “Starmer is not a strong man.”
“Trump is such a strong alpha male silverback, as is Putin,” he added.
“I’ve not seen anything that we normally see when Trump’s trying to assert his, his authority and power.”
Stanton concluded: “We’ll have to wait and see [regarding] any signs that Trump has been able to negotiate or cajole Starmer into a [weak] position.”
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He also noted a detail about Melania, who is touring the Queen Mary’s Doll House and the Royal Library with Queen Camilla on Thursday morning.
He told how Melania is more “anxious” when in public without Trump – in contrast to her usual strong appearance she exerts whenever she is beside her husband.
It comes after the body language expert revealed the key mannerisms on display when Trump and Melania met Prince William and Princess Kate on Wednesday.
He also explained the President’s encounter with King Charles before analysing their body language.
A press conference on Thursday afternoon could also expose divisions between Sir Keir and Trump on Net Zero, illegal migration and free speech – as well as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The PM will gift Trump a bespoke ministerial red box emblazoned with the Presidential seal, and Melania a silk scarf embroidered with artwork by Ukrainian children.
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The First Couple will also be given a hamper with jams made from fruit grown on the Chequers estate and homemade shortbread from the head chef.
Talks will continue over a Dover sole lunch before an aerial display by the British Red Devils parachute team.
Sir Keir has been forced to abandon hope of eliminating steel tariffs despite a promise by Mr Trump to cut the 25 per cent levy.
The White House is understood to have offered to scrap tariffs for a small quota of steel and aluminium exports provided remaining shipments were subject to the global 50 per cent rate.
No 10 has decided to stick with the 25 per cent tariff for an unlimited number of exports — believing it to be the lesser of two evils.
While Downing Street is braced for flak for getting handed a worse-than-expected deal, sources insist it is still better than most countries.
It comes after the embattled PM admitted he knew Peter Mandelson was being probed over emails to Jeffrey Epstein – and still continued backing him.
Sir Keir unveiled an influx of investment from big American companies this morning, ahead of hosting the President at his grace-and-favour country home Chequers.
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