Body Language Experts Dissect Moment
Trump Strategist
Steve Bannon Intimately Pats Reince Priebus
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2017, 11:57 PM
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2017, 11:57 PM
Chief White House strategist Steve Bannon got a bit
touchy-feely with chief of staff Reince Priebus during an interview on Thursday
— and body language experts have conflicting takes on what the intimate moment
might reveal about the powerful men.
When they sat down for a joint interview at
the Conservative Political Action Conference
outside Washington, D.C., on Thursday night, that divide appeared to take the
form of bodily cues — particularly during the very final moments of the
back-and-forth.
"Reince has been unwavering since the very first moment
I met him," Bannon said before interviewer Matt Schlapp wrapped up the
chat.
Then, in a brief display of affection, Bannon patted
Priebus' right thigh several times. But the touch apparently didn't sit well
with Priebus, who flinched and hastily pushed his White House colleague's hand
away.
Georgia-based body language expert Patti Wood told the Daily
News that Bannon's comment, and touching, unveils a number of things about his
perceived dominance over Priebus.
White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon sat down for a
joint interview with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus on Thursday.
"I
don't know their working relationship, but Priebus didn't like that the
statement implied intimacy," Wood said, noting Priebus looked down and
turned away immediately after Bannon's compliment. "He wanted to separate
himself from that statement."
The subsequent
touch, Wood continued, "has a sexual feel to it" — which Priebus was
"obviously repelled by."
"He
doesn't want that touch to linger at all," Wood said. "It shows
irritation … The pressed together lips and the downturned eyes suppresses his
anger."
Bannon,
on the other hand, stayed confident and even appeared to lean in a bit, revealing
the former Breitbart News chief's confident control of the situation, according
to Wood.
"He
was rebuked like that and stayed planted forward, that to me is the most
revealing about Bannon's character," Wood said. "The man is going to
stay and not back down no matter what."
Several reports have described a rocky relationship between
the two top White House officials.
But fellow body language expert Lillian Glass disagreed with
Wood's analysis, telling The News that the two men are just engaging in a
President Trump-esque moment of intimacy.
"They're part of that Trump affection, physical, 'hey,
I'm not afraid to let my emotions out,' " Glass said. "When Trump
likes you, he touches you and these guys are following suit."
Priebus' apparent striking at Bannon's hand was actually
just a complimentary pat, Glass claimed.
"When you watch it, it's a very kind of warm
thing," she added.
But there was one body language cue that both men appeared
to be engaging in throughout the 30-minute interview that displayed discomfort,
Glass conceded.
"Look at where their hands are — they're covering their
private parts, that means they feel very vulnerable," she said.
Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at
www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at
www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
