Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were analyzed by a body language expert during their recent appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, revealing signs of a father-son dynamic.
Judi James revealed the president seemed relaxed during the chat, but warned he remains in charge.
Musk and Trump have developed what seemed like an unlikely relationship over many months.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, publicly supported Trump following the assassination attempt on the former president at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He is now leading the Government Efficiency Department.
James revealed that Trump was doting and his relationship with Musk mostly resembles a “father-son” bond.
“But, that’s not how we tend to see him in a real father-son relationship,” she warned.
“It looks like one we might see in the real world, but not in Trump’s world.”
Because of Musk’s role within the federal government, critics have claimed he acts like the president, rather than Trump himself.
James addressed the power dynamics at play.
She revealed the areas where Trump exerted his influence and showed who was in charge – even though it didn’t appear to be like that at first.
“But he didn’t try and belittle or make Musk look submissive,” she said.
James said Musk exuded confidence through his hand gestures.
“Musk seemed to be mirroring Trump’s body language,” she explained.
“He had splayed knees. He had the steepled fingers but his were much more of a precision gesture.
“His fingertips were touching together which implies absolute precise forensic thought.
“He had cocked thumbs so he looked incredibly confident.”
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s complicated relationship
Despite a challenging beginning, the relationship between former President Trump and Tesla’s Elon Musk has significantly improved. Musk has gone as far as giving his full backing to Trump and hosting him on X Spaces on August 12.
In 2022, Elon Musk and Donald Trump publicly feuded on X, then still known as Twitter.
Trump called Musk a liar and “bulls**t artist” during a rally in Alaska.
“Elon is not going to buy Twitter,” Trump said at the time.
“You know, he said the other day, ‘I’ve never voted for a Republican.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know that – you told me you voted for me. So he’s another bulls**t artist, but he’s not going to be buying it.”
In response to Trump’s critiques, the SpaceX founder clapped back.
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset,” Musk posted.
Musk also went on to buy X months later.
The X owner said he had previously voted mostly for Democrats since becoming a United States citizen in 2002.
Musk initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.
“My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist,” Musk wrote on X in 2022.
“I had hoped that would [be] the case for the Biden administration, but have been disappointed so far.”
His shift in political parties might be attributed to his plummeting relationship with President Joe Biden who didn’t invite Musk to the 2021 White House electric vehicle summit.
Despite their past issues, Trump and Musk’s relationship took a turn in March after they met at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was also previously against electric vehicles but has since changed his stance.
“I’m for electric cars,” he said at a rally earlier this month.
“I have to be, because Elon endorsed me very strongly. So I have no choice.”
Following the assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in July, Musk announced his support for the former president.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X after the shooting.
During a recent press conference, Trump spoke highly of Musk.
“I respect Elon a lot. He respects me,” he said.
“Elon, more than almost anybody I know, he loves this country. He loves the concept of this country, but like me, he says this country is in big trouble, it’s in tremendous danger.”
Musk has been pictured at events at Mar-a-Lago and the UFC, buddying up with Trump.
Trump selected Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency – a taskforce aimed at cutting bureaucracy.
James admitted at first glance, it appeared Musk could dominate the conversation.
But, Trump was the one in control.
She alluded to how Trump titled his head toward Musk, inviting him to answer the question.
“That implies this is my interview, but it is your moment to step in,” James explained.
“That was a very strong signal that he saw himself as being very much in charge.”
James noted that Musk eye-checked Trump at particular moments.
“This is usually a less senior pose that you’re wanting to check you’ve got approval and agreement,” she said.
“We got endorsement pats from Trump.”
Trump touched Musk’s knee when he quipped: “I think President Trump is a good man.”
James revealed another sign that showed Trump’s dominance.
“We also got blocking touches,” she said.
“There were a couple of times when Musk took over the conversation but he faltered.
“At one point, he couldn’t think of the answer and Trump stopped him.
“He patted him on the arm and interrupted him verbally.
“It was very much the parent status, very much still in Trump’s court.”
TRUMP GUSHES OVER MUSK
During the interview, Musk spoke about his endorsement of Trump following the attempted assassination.
“I was going to do it in anyway,” he told Hannity.
Trump also gushed over what he thinks Musk can bring to his administration.
“He has the technology,” he said.
“I wanted somebody really smart to work with me in terms of the country – a very important aspect.
“He’s actually a very good businessman. He’s a leader.”
James noted how Trump showed a different persona compared to his first interview with Hannity days after being sworn in.
“Trump was more relaxed with Musk,” she said.
“He doesn’t like sharing the spotlight normally, but there was humor there.
“In the first interview with Hannity, Trump looked slightly wary and was asked personal questions but seemed to deflect it.”
James claimed Trump knew he had to drop the showboating, but liked to head back to safer territory.
In another part of the interview, Trump giggled when Musk spoke about Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Musk recalled how his friends were left appalled when he talked about the president.
“I used to be adored by the left, you know,” Musk said which prompted a chuckle from Trump.
“Less so these days. I mean this whole sort of like, they call it Trump derangement syndrome, you don’t realize how real this is until you can’t reason with people.”
TRUMP-DERANGEMENT SYNDROME
Musk explained how his pals were outraged when Trump’s name was brought up in conversation.
“It was like they got shot with a dart in the jugular that contained methamphetamine and rabies,” he said.
“It was like, ‘guys you can’t have a normal conversation and it’s like they’ve become completely irrational.”
Musk has fostered this relationship with Trump – just years after he warned him to leave the political stage.
Musk endorsed Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, to be the GOP nominee before backing Trump.
He’s spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency and has claimed the administration has already saved $55 billion.
Musk didn’t rule out a one-time payment worth up to $5,000 for Americans in what has been touted as a Doge dividend online.
Things you need to know about Elon Musk
ELON MUSK is the CEO of Tesla Motors, SpaceX, founder of The Boring Company, and co-founder of Neuralink and open AI
