After examining the ‘awkward’ photographs from Nigel Farage’s divisive meeting with US President Donald Trump, body language expert Judi James has picked up on a telling sign that the Reform leader is ‘Team Trump’ all the way
After slamming Britain before US congress, Nigel Farage was all smiles as he posed for photographs with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, while body language expert has picked up on a hidden yet telling sign that the rightwing politician is ‘Team Trump’.
The Reform UK leader appeared full of fire while badmouthing Britain in Washington DC, claimed that his home country had “become North Korea” in a vehement tirade against British online safety and hate speech laws. Presenting himself as a defender of free speech, Farage declared: “It doesn’t give me any great joy to be sitting in America and describing the really awful authoritarian situation that we have now sunk into.”
However, the Clacton MP didn’t appear quite so confident when Democrat ranking member Jamie Raskin quizzed him over banning reporters who opposed his views from events – a move that would surely be contradictory to his purported views on ‘free speech’.
Farage was also left squirming after Congressman Jared Moskowitz pressed him to admit that he would be meeting with President Trump that afternoon. The American politician noting that Farage’s previous show of support for the Epstein Files being released may well create a bit of tension.
However, when “awkward” photos emerged from the meeting, Farage appeared in “awe” of POTUS, as noted by body language expert, Judi James.
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Judi told the Mirror: “This looks so much like Farage’s ‘Taking a selfie with a star’ moment as he stands to attention alongside a grinning Trump, looking faintly awkward, as though he’s edged his way into the shot.
“There are no actual body language signs of friendship between the two men here apart from proximity. Nigel needed to relax his pose a little to suggest a more informal sense of ease that might reflect either genuine closeness and a meeting of minds or even a more even power balance between one leader to a potential other. Maybe he should have tried one hand in his pocket or even his arms folded and a cheeky grin? Something that says ‘The next UK PM’ if that’s his intention?
“Instead, Farage’s pose suggests he’s in awe of the President here but very much on ‘Team Trump’ while Trump himself sports his signature ‘camera smile’ or as it would be known over in the UK, his best ‘cheesy grin’.”
During the congregetional hearing, Farage was blasted as a “Putin-loving free speech imposter” and a “Trump sycophant” by Raskin, and he hasn’t escaped criticism on this side of the pond.
Despite Parliament having returned from the summer break, Farage was not in his seat for Prime Minister’s Questions, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer branding his behaviour in Washington as “unpatriotic”.
The PM told the Commons: “The honorable member for Clacton (Mr Farage) is not here representing his constituents in the House that he was elected to. No, he’s flown to America to badmouth and talk down our country.
“And worse than that Mr Speaker, if you can believe it, I do believe he’s gone there to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on this country, which will harm working people. You cannot get more unpatriotic than that. It’s a disgrace.”
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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