Why Trump’s hand movements bode well for Turkey’s big asks at NATO summit: Body language expert

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.

Politics https://nypost.com/politics/ exclusive Why Trump’s hand movements bode well for Turkey’s big asks at NATO summit: Body language expert See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nypost.com If words weren’t enough, the body language proved it. President 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. A 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.” Trump 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. Glass said it was apparent from the start that Erdoğan was in Trump’s good graces. After 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. “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.” As they walked, “Erdoğan grab bed onto Trump… and even bump ed arms at one point.” “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.” Later, 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.” Trump 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.