Puttin’ a spin on political football

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump used a secret communication tactic to try and manipulate Russian leader Vladimir Putin during their Helsinki summit, according to a body language expert. Body language expert Dr Louise Mahler told The Advertiser Mr Trump was less “gorilla like” than normal and did this intentionally to make Mr Putin feel important. Dr Mahler said he followed a Neuro-linguistic programming technique, a communication approach developed in the 1970s. It encompasses the idea that if you subtly “mirror” someone’s behaviour, it makes the other person feel connected to you. “In essence, Mr Trump really wanted Mr Putin to walk away feeling like they bonded, “she said. “I noticed Trump wasn’t puffing himself up as he did with the Queen and Kim (Jong-un),” Dr Mahler said. “He wasn’t overly trying to overpower him. He was still quite strong and powerful but he didn’t go over the top. It was bizarre. “He was obviously intentionally pandering to Russia and it’s obvious this is part of a plan. The question is what that plan is.” Dr Mahler said Mr Trump exposed his communication weapon by copying Mr Putin’s body language so the pair would come across as equals. “Trump was accommodating him but not in a weak way, he was trying to do what Putin was doing by mirroring his hand gestures and things he said,” Dr Mahler said. “When they went in for a handshake, Trump went in as a pure equal rather than putting his hand on top or underneath, and it was a real sword thrust. “Trump was very much playing a game as he was really trying to build a rapport and connection with Putin.” Despite their seemingly level playing field summit, Dr Mahler said the pair both fought for an overall win when they said goodbye. “When they walk off, Putin puts his arm around Trump which is a power trip, to get your arm on last,” she said. “Trump put his arm around Putin, and Putin did it again. “It was like ‘no, no, no, I’m winning. They were both determined to win that last one.” And when it came to Mr Trump and the First Lady, Dr Mahler thought the president treated her “like she was a piece of scum”. “When Putin threw Trump the soccer ball, that was done in a ‘person to person, equal to equal’ fun way.” But she said when Trump threw the ball to Melania, he did it in a non-personal way.