Donald Trump has a familiar tactic he relies on whenever he wants to show dominance during a high-profile meeting, and one body-language expert says he used that exact strategy with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during their Oval Office appearance.
According to expert Judi James, Trump blended charm with subtle intimidation to shape the entire event. She explained that Trump’s decision to remain seated while Mamdani stood was a classic attempt to project control. He has used this before with other high-profile allies, including Elon Musk, during the period when they appeared publicly aligned.
The White House press corps had expected a confrontational exchange, especially after Trump repeatedly mocked Mamdani in the past. Instead, both men appeared unexpectedly friendly. But James noted that Trump’s friendliness came with underlying dominance cues. His repeated arm pats, firm slaps, and gestures toward Mamdani weren’t simply signs of warmth. They were subtle reminders that Trump wanted to be seen as the one directing the moment.
One example came when a reporter asked Mamdani about calling Trump a fascist. Before the mayor-elect could answer, Trump laughed, brushed it off, and physically steered the moment by patting Mamdani’s arm. James pointed out that these small gestures served as “power rituals,” projecting authority even while pretending to be gracious.
The two leaders discussed city issues, transportation, policing, and even foreign policy. Their sudden agreement shocked supporters on both sides, especially given Trump’s history of calling Mamdani everything from a communist to a “nut job.” The reaction online was swift, with many questioning whether this public friendliness would last beyond a single photo-op.
While the meeting appeared cordial, Trump has a long history of undermining local officials once they return home. His record on sending federal forces, deploying the National Guard without local consent, and overruling state and city leadership strongly suggests that the temporary peace may not hold once Mamdani takes office.
For now, the Oval Office moment may have looked harmonious. But if Trump’s past behavior is any indication, the real test of this relationship will come when Mamdani begins governing and Trump no longer benefits from appearing cooperative.
Comments
Post a Comment