“Trump just doesn’t take the hint” - Body language experts reveal what Donald and Melania Trump’s 2026 World Cup final gestures could mean
Two analysts examined the US president’s interactions with Spain’s players, the trophy ceremony and the reaction from supporters at MetLife Stadium.
Donald Trump wasn’t content with simply presenting the World Cup trophy after Spain’s victory over Argentina.
The US president also became one of the biggest talking points of the post-game celebrations after briefly remaining alongside Spain’s players as they prepared to lift the trophy, creating an awkward moment that quickly went viral. It was meant to be a moment all about the players and staff.
John Stewart had his own take.
Now, two body language experts have offered their interpretations of Trump’s actions throughout the ceremony, from his interactions with Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal to his reaction to the crowd inside MetLife Stadium.
‘Trump just doesn’t take the hint’
Body language expert Darren Stanton believes Trump was trying to make himself the center of attention during the trophy presentation and failed to realize the players wanted to celebrate on their own.
“Basically it’s another example of Donald Trump trying to be number one, thinking he’s the center of attention, that everyone’s there just for him,” he said to OLBG
Stanton believes Gavi and Rodri subtly tried to move the president away from the middle of the celebrations.
“Gavi and Rodri gestured to Trump, ‘Thanks for coming, we’ve got to do the shot with the trophy now’, and Trump doesn’t really smell the coffee.”
According to Stanton, Trump appeared oblivious before eventually stepping aside.
“He’s gestured away, but he doesn’t take the hint. He just stands there like he’s a third wheel while the rest of the team raise the trophy. It’s a really awkward moment.”
He added that Trump’s eventual reaction showed he had finally accepted the moment belonged to Spain.
“Eventually Trump puts his hands in the air, sort of admits defeat and walks off. He was just twisting in the wind on his own.”
Messi and Lamine Yamal ‘didn’t want to hang around’
Stanton also analyzed Trump’s interactions with Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal as they collected their runners-up and winners’ medals.
He suggested Messi showed little interest in extending the encounter.
“It almost looks like Trump wants to engage him as he puts the medal around his neck, but Messi’s body language immediately turns to the right and starts to walk off.”
After Trump tapped Messi on the back, Stanton said there appeared to be “a reluctance with Messi to really engage.”
Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, also seemed eager to keep moving.
“With Trump it was literally one shake, then he was off.”
Stanton compared the exchange to “going through a drive-through.”
“He almost didn’t stop. He kept moving, Trump put the medal around his neck, one handshake, and he was off.”
He concluded:
“Like Messi, it just seemed to be a real dismissive attitude towards Trump.”
What Trump’s gestures and Melania’s expressions could reveal
Body language and astrology expert Inbaal Honigman, speaking with Covers, focused on Trump’s interaction with the World Cup trophy itself, suggesting the president’s decision to pat it several times reflected how he views his own significance.
“That touch is accepting, welcoming and amiable, but there’s another aspect to this touch. It may show that, in his own mind, the President may possess spiritual abilities which allow him to confer good luck upon the Cup.”
She added:
“Trump’s view of his own importance... means it’s entirely believable that, in Trump’s mind, his presence there carries a spiritual significance.”
Honigman also examined First Lady Melania Trump’s facial expressions.
“The First Lady’s lips never adopt a fully neutral stance. They’re always a little tense.”
She believes that expression reflects “restraint and determination” and has become part of Melania’s everyday public persona.
Trump reacts to crowd boos
Finally, Honigman interpreted Trump’s reaction to boos from sections of the crowd as a sign that the criticism affected him more than he wanted to show.
“The booing really gets to Trump, and he struggles to hide his annoyance.”
She added that Trump appeared to gesture towards the crowd as if asking Melania, “Did you see this? Can you believe it?” before composing himself.
“Trump raises his chin in the air, defiantly. Letting everyone know that this obvious disrespect isn’t going to get him down.”
Remember that these are the interpretations of the public footage by the experts rather than established facts about what Trump, Messi, Yamal or others were actually thinking.
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