The Unseen Tensions: A Body Language Analysis of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s Relationship

In the ever-intriguing world of politics and power, the relationship between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has been a subject of intense speculation. Before their very public fallout, were there signs of underlying tensions? A deep dive into their interactions, using the lens of body language analysis, might offer some surprising insights. This isn’t a psychological evaluation, but rather an interpretation of observable behaviors that could hint at a more complex dynamic than what meets the eye.

Farewell and Foreboding: The Doge Press Conference

Let’s rewind to the farewell press conference where Elon Musk ostensibly wrapped up his involvement with Doge. President Trump, known for his unfiltered expressions, praised Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced.” For anyone familiar with Trump’s communication style, such effusive praise would seem impossible if genuine animosity existed. But even amidst the apparent camaraderie, subtle cues emerged. Musk’s crossed arms, initially interpreted as a comfortable stance, could also suggest a degree of defensiveness or emotional distance. While his body and head were oriented towards Trump, signaling engagement, it’s a far cry from the vitriol that would later erupt on Twitter. The interesting point here is Musk nodding his head to acknowledge the power difference when Trump was talking about Musk being an employee. It seems that he’s okay with the idea of a power differential. Later on, there’s also a sign of boredom from Musk. He was chewing the inside of his mouth, which seems that he was wanting President Trump to get on with it rather than a sign of being angry or hostile.

The Steepling Enigma: Authority or Arrogance?

A significant body language cue observed during the press conference was Musk’s frequent use of “steepling”—pressing his fingertips together in a pointed gesture. This is often associated with confidence, expertise, and even a sense of superiority. While it could simply reflect Musk’s authority when addressing the press, it raises questions about his perception of the power dynamic between him and President Trump. Was Musk subtly asserting his dominance, even in Trump’s presence? If he is wanting to be in power and he wants to be above everybody else, that likely means that he sees himself as the most important person and smartest person in the room. This behavior, if consistently displayed, could indicate a deeper desire to be perceived as the most important and intelligent person in any given situation.

Hannity Interview: Cracks in the Facade?

Three months prior to the fallout, Musk and Trump appeared together in a Sean Hannity interview on Fox News. The segment focused on the media’s attempts to drive a wedge between them. Interestingly, during this interview, Musk seemed more connected to Trump, engaging in more eye contact. As they were talking about how President Trump sued Twitter, Musk went from steepling a very hard steeple to softly closing his fingers, which means there’s a less confident steeple. When they were talking about him being the richest man in the world, he stopped steepling for a minute. However, he stopped steepling for a minute right now, then interlocked his fingers, which means he feels less comfortable talking about his net worth next to President Trump than talking about being intelligent being smart and so on and so forth. The shift may suggest a genuine desire for connection and alignment. However, it’s also possible that Musk may feel that he’s in a power struggle with President Trump. Trump sitting and behaving during this interview is the same body language he shows with everything. There’s nothing new or nothing different about any of it really, which implies that he doesn’t feel the same way.

The Meltdown: A Power Play Gone Wrong?

So, what does this analysis reveal? It’s unlikely that there was any hatred between the two or Musk was headed out for Trump. For the most part, they were still connected and had positive interactions. However, Musk seemed maybe a little bit more aloof at times. While there was no overt hostility, the undercurrent of a potential power struggle, fueled by Musk’s need to be perceived as the smartest person in the room, might have contributed to the eventual fallout. His consistent use of the steepling gesture, particularly in Trump’s presence, could indicate a desire to assert his dominance. Ultimately, it’s possible that Musk overplayed his hand, believing his influence on platforms like Twitter would grant him the upper hand. He may have underestimated President Trump’s resilience and ability to command the narrative, leading to his public meltdown and the stark realization that he wasn’t as powerful as he thought. It is also interesting to point out that in earlier clip, Musk was not looking at Trump as much but he does more of that during this interview, which means he actually felt more connected to the president three months ago.