{"slug": "why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body", "title": "Why Trump’s hand movements bode well for Turkey’s big asks at NATO summit: Body language expert", "summary": "President Trump's body language during his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the NATO summit signals a strong alignment, according to body language expert Lillian Glass. Trump displayed open palms, friendly touching, and close proximity, indicating friendship and sincerity. This comes as Trump announced plans to lift weapons-sale sanctions on Turkey and consider authorizing F-35 fighter jet sales, solidifying Erdoğan's military edge.", "body_md": "[Politics](https://nypost.com/politics/)\n\nexclusive\n\n# Why Trump’s hand movements bode well for Turkey’s big asks at NATO summit: Body language expert\n\nSee more of our coverage in your search results.\n\n[Add The New York Post on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nypost.com)\n\nIf words weren’t enough, the body language proved it.\n\nPresident Trump’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday showed two leaders in deep alignment, a body language expert tells The Post, pointing at Trump’s hand movements.\n\nA series of tells from Trump’s encounters with Erdoğan featured open palms and friendly touching, assessed Lillian Glass, author of “The Body Language of Liars.”\n\nTrump announced during the first day of his visit to the annual NATO summit that [he plans to lift weapons-sale sanctions](https://nypost.com/2026/07/07/us-news/trump-lifts-defense-sanctions-on-turkey-clearing-way-to-give-erdogan-f-35s/) on Turkey that he imposed during his first term — when he had a series of clashes with his authoritarian counterpart — and that he was considering authorizing the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which would solidify Erdoğan’s military edge in the region.\n\nGlass said it was apparent from the start that Erdoğan was in Trump’s good graces.\n\nAfter descending the steps of Air Force One, Trump greeted the Turkish leader by “clap[ping] his hands in delight and then reach[ing] out his hand to [Erdoğan] with an open palm, which is a very positive welcome greeting,” she said.\n\n“He put his hand over Erdoğan’s shoulder, which is an intimate gesture that they are close friends. He also st[ood] very close to him, which is another sign of their closeness, literally and figuratively. Trump again reache[d] out and pat him on the arm.”\n\nAs they walked, “Erdoğan grab[bed] onto Trump… and even bump[ed] arms at one point.”\n\n“With the close proximity of their leaning into one another, there is a mutual affection towards one another and clearly a friendship,” she said. “Erdoğan shows respect by allowing Trump to take center stage and walk in front of him… and keeps holding onto Trump’s back during the whole conversation.”\n\nLater, during a bilateral press availability where they took questions, “[Trump] brings up that Turkey has been a great ally [to] the US, as he uses open-palm, wide, expansive gestures which indicate credibility and sincerity.”\n\nTrump praised his host’s actions during the Iran war, favorably appraising his actions as helpful while bashing other American allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy, for withholding assistance.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body", "canonical_source": "https://nypost.com/2026/07/07/us-news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body-language-expert/", "published_at": "2026-07-07 20:26:28+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-07 20:35:28.894439+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-policy"], "entities": ["Donald Trump", "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan", "Turkey", "NATO", "Lillian Glass", "F-35"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/why-trumps-hand-movements-bode-well-for-turkeys-big-asks-at-nato-summit-body.jsonld"}}