When Donald Trump prolonged his hand to Vladimir Putin on an Alaskan airport tarmac, the world anticipated one other show of the president’s notorious grip-and-yank method, however this time the Russian chief had different plans.
The much-anticipated summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, on Friday, Aug. 15, turned an surprising showcase of physique language warfare, as the 2 world leaders, who fancy themselves as associates, engaged in what many are calling a masterclass in political posturing.
The dramatic scene unfolded on the tarmac simply north of Anchorage.
Towards the backdrop of 5 thundering U.S. B-2 bombers offering a ceremonial flyover, the leaders approached one another on a pink carpet for what would turn into one of the crucial analyzed handshakes in latest political reminiscence. Many zoned in to catch Trump deploy his signature “clasp and yank” method.
Trump skipped his standard energy grip and went for a limp, palm-up handshake. He tried to salvage it with a left-hand pat, however the dominance play landed extra like an interplay between an worker and their boss.
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However Putin wasn’t taking part in alongside. After shaking his hand, he didn’t take part within the pulling forwards and backwards that the previous actuality star had used prior to now to exert his energy over the colleague.
One viewer captured the sentiment completely on X, writing, “Trump once more tried to do this bulls—t Energy handshake and Putin was conscious of it.”
The Russian chief, seemingly ready for Trump’s infamous grip-and-pull maneuver, planted his toes firmly and locked his posture, creating an immovable pressure that left Trump unable to execute his trademark energy transfer.
Trump once more tried to do this bullshit Energy handshake and putin was conscious of it🤣🤣
— Charlie (@Charlie140962) August 15, 2025
Different social media customers weighed in on Putin’s profitable protection in opposition to Trump’s aggressive handshake.
On Threads, one consumer wrote, “Typical little man vitality. ‘I’m not his equal so I’ll tank his hand to place him off steadiness.’ Putz.”
One other observer famous, “He clapped like a college lady when Putin walked up,” whereas a 3rd joked, “He patted his hand like a bit boy.”
Others, believing Trump was not as puffy with the Russian chief, reminisced on how one other U.S. President handled the dictator.
The second has reignited discussions about Trump’s unconventional method to diplomatic greetings, a subject that gained important consideration again in 2017 when psychology professor Geoff Beattie from Edge Hill College analyzed the president’s handshake technique.
Beattie famous within the Sydney Morning Herald that Trump had basically weaponized what must be a gesture of peace and cooperation, remodeling handshakes into “the opening salvo in a battle for supremacy.”
The professor defined how Trump’s method includes pulling recipients ahead into his private house, unbalancing them, and creating an instantaneous psychological benefit.
Essentially the most memorable instance from that period was Trump’s 19-second marathon handshake with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the place Trump repeatedly patted the again of Abe’s hand in calculated bursts. Based on Beattie’s evaluation, this hand patting wasn’t a comforting gesture however quite a dominance sign, just like how a boss may pat an worker on the again, whereas the reverse can be inappropriate.
For a president who has made handshakes a signature energy transfer all through his political profession, assembly somebody equally ready for the psychological warfare was certain to create fireworks.
Trump’s calculated grip ways have constantly caught world leaders off guard, however Putin’s steely resistance proved that even essentially the most rehearsed dominance shows can backfire when your opponent is aware of the sport you’re taking part in.
