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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Zoe Williams

Donald Trump’s body language uncovered: ‘If you’re the silverback, you stand proud’

Starmer touches Trump's shoulder, as the US president makes a downward 'steeple' gesture with his hands
An unusually handsy Starmer with Trump in the Oval Office, Washington, this week. Photograph: Abaca/Rex/Shutterstock

As Keir Starmer handed Donald Trump his unprecedented invitation from King Charles – a second state visit – he grasped the US president chummily by the shoulder, more than once.

Starmer was skating a tricky line, between matey familiarity and patronising reassurance, which must have been tutored, as he’s not a tactile man. Trump’s body language looked completely untaught, because nobody could teach this. The man has always been incredibly idiosyncratic.

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