What Donald Trump’s hand gestures really mean

Donald Trump's hands may be small, but they have taken him all the way to the Oval Office. Body language expert Robert Phipps breaks down Trump's top five gestures and tells us what he's doing and why...

17 Jul 2017
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1. The finger-and-thumb circle

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AKA: Precision grip.

Used for: Demonstrating control of the facts.

"Trump uses this to show that he is sure of himself, in control of his facts or just wants people to pay attention. It is precise, as if using a precision instrument - like holding a pen to write. It is a common gesture among politicians who want to make a point. Conversely, there is also the incomplete precision grip, which is when his thumb and forefinger do not actually touch. This signifies that his thinking is incomplete: he's not sure or even confused."

2. The upwards gun

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AKA: Air pointing.

Used for: Emphasis.

"The pointing finger is straight up, which is how Trump wants to appear: a 'straight up guy'. When most people use a pointed finger they do not have the thumb extended to the side like Trump, this makes his gesture bigger therefore it has more emphasis. He will often flick from his precision grip to this pointed finger, making a point and then emphasising it."

3. The hands up

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AKA: Submission.

Used for: Gauging reactions to an ad-lib.

"'Caught with your hands up' is an old expression, and showing empty hands is a submissive gesture. It says, 'I have no weapons,' in the most basic terms. However, when Trump uses it, it's usually because he doesn't know the answers or is shooting from the hip and gauging the reactions. If he feels like he's getting it right he continues down that track. People will often throw their hands in the air as a sign of honesty, but it is often the complete opposite."

4. The 'hey there!'

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AKA: Pointing the finger.

Used for: Acknowledging his audience.

"Pointing the finger is often seen as rude when it is directly at someone but Trump uses it to connect with an individual or a group in the audience. Pretty much all politicians and celebrities use this gesture to at least attempt to show an interest in 'you', like a 'thanks for being here'. It lets people know they've been noticed and everyone likes being noticed."

5. The general wild gesture

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AKA: The free flail.

Used for: Showing that he's thinking on his feet.

"Trump is actually very good to watch from a body language point of view, as there is very little withholding or masking with him. The thoughts that go through his head are displayed on his face, in his posture and through his hand movements. If his hands are moving out of sync with his words, he's thinking on his feet and whatever comes out is likely to be equally out of sync. Think of the erratic way he answered many questions during the debates."

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