A power play? A bromance moment between two billionaires?
There are only so many ways to interpret the handshake between Donald Trump and Elon Musk in Saudi Arabia today,none of them good,and all of them ending in a grimace.
One thing is for certain,it is an uncomfortable watch.
Never one for subtlety,the US president is famous for his iron-clad,push-and-pull handshakes.
It is less a greeting and more a small act of warfare,and has been used in the past against other world leaders to exert dominance.
Body language expert Judi James told Metro that Trump usually aims to overpower a rival by using ‘the clasp of mutual friendship to pull them off-balance’,destabilising their ability to look and feel confident.
The question is,why has he unleashed this signature move against Musk,one of his biggest allies in his presidency?
Judi stressed that it is the double-yank that can pull someone off their feet,but this single yank looks a ‘little more complex’ than most of his rituals with other world leaders.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is one of the businessmen invited to Riyadh for the summit (Picture: Reuters)
She said: ‘Trump keeps his shaking hand high as he offers it to Musk here and when he yanks the clasp inward it is towards his lower chest.
‘Musk finds himself trapped by this hand clamp and Trump holds onto his hand while chatting to their host,which is another way to make the other person feel dominated and awkward.’
There is a suggestion though that Trump’s message is more complex than just wanting to signal superior power to Musk here.
Judi said that when he pats the tech billionaire’s arm in a power-pat he also strokes it in a sign of almost parental affection and approval.
There is another touch of the arm and then the final,parting pat suggests,again,approval,she explained.
She suggested that the power ritual appears aimed at his hosts as much as Musk here,adding: ‘His ritual could actually be a boast. He knows other leaders (including Vladimir Putin) are in awe of Musk and he seems to want to signal a form of ownership and friendship here,perhaps in a flaunting ritual.
‘The arm-stroke looks like a gesture that is solely for Musk,and it looks like a gesture of fondness,suggesting he’s keen to retain a friendship even after Musk has left his team.’
Footage shows the pair arriving in Riyadh,site of a Saudi-US Investment Forum,and being greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
With a big grin on his face,Trump is seen latching onto the Tesla founder’s hand and pulling him.
Musk seems to lose his balance for a brief moment and stumbling forward before attempting to mask the awkward interaction with a laughter.
The three then chat briefly at a palace reception to welcome the president.
Musk flew to Saudi Arabia independently of Air Force One,which carried Trump.
The Republican hopes to secure trillions of dollars of investments from the Gulf oil producers.
Saudi Arabia had pledged $600 billion but he has said he wants $1 trillion from the kingdom,one of Washington’s most important strategic partners.
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