*In business and politics, there’s something known as protocol. If you’re invited to the White House – especially for an official news conference in the Oval Office – there are some things you should and shouldn’t do just out of respect for the office and the people you most likely will see while you’re there.
So, when I watched that Oval Office news conference featuring Elon Musk, his son, X, and Donald Trump there was a lot of nonverbal communication. Most of it was an indication of how little respect Musk has for Trump. The President might as well have been Rodney Dangerfield.
Trump has met his match: Musk is half his age and has twice as many children; he has quadruple the amount of money than Trump claims to have and has had more business success. While neither of them respects protocol or the establishment, I’ve never seen a time where Trump allowed another person to talk more or show more strength. In a word, Trump looked defeated as he sat slumped at his desk.
Click the video above and let’s talk about the nonverbals.
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Musk’s body language throughout the conference spoke volumes—leaning back, smirking at certain remarks, and rarely making direct eye contact with Trump.
At one point, as Trump spoke, Musk glanced at his son, X, with an expression that almost read as amusement.
Meanwhile, Trump’s usual bravado seemed dampened; his gestures were less grand, his tone less commanding.
It was clear that, for once, Trump was in the presence of someone who wouldn’t cater to his ego.
The usual dominance Trump exudes in meetings was nowhere to be found, leaving many wondering—has he finally met someone he can’t outmaneuver?
Steffanie Rivers is a freelance journalist living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. Email her at [email protected] with your comments, questions and speaking inquiries. Follow her @tcbstef on Instagram and Threads.
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