Body language expert breaks down Trump's 'lack of respect' for world leaders as he makes bold claim about WW2

Donald Trump isn’t new to making bold statements, but a body language expert has suggested his movement during a speech may have showcased his ‘disdain’ for his European allies.

Donald Trump appeared to ruffle some feathers with his comments reflecting on the VE celebrations across Europe.

On May 15, Trump addressed US troops stationed in Qatar as part of his trip to the Middle East and made his feelings about the VE day celebrations pretty clear.

For those out of the loop, VE day is on May 8, also known as Victory in Europe day and marks Germany's surrender to the Allies in World War 2.

Trump was seemingly baffled that European leaders were celebrating and US wasn’t.

He said: "A week ago, May 8, I call up a certain country and they say, 'Oh we're celebrating the victory of World War Two today'. And I say, 'Oh okay.'"

He continued: "I speak to one of the presidents or prime ministers or whatever. And they were so busy, 'Oh yes we're celebrating the victory of WW2'. And I speak to another one and they're celebrating.

"And the fact is Russia was celebrating, France was celebrating, everyone but us.

"And we’re the ones that won the war. We won the war and they help, but without us they don’t win the war, we're all speaking German - without us they're speaking German and maybe a little Japanese too."

While these words have been interpreted to be insulting to European leaders and a misrepresentation of the facts of World War 2, a body language expert has suggested the US president may have also been saying more with his movement during the speech.

🇺🇸 Donald Trump on Victory Day for WWII:

Russia was celebrating.
France was celebrating.

Everybody was celebrating but us — and we're the ones that won the war!

They helped, but without us, they're speaking German.
Maybe a little Japanese, too. pic.twitter.com/y67qzOM4Tm

— nextmars (@Nexttmars) May 15, 2025

Dr Beth Dawson argued that Trump’s posture throughout his speech appeared relax to subconsciously convey that ‘he is in control’.

She added that non-verbally it was a 'masterclass' in power dynamics wrapped in storytelling to amplify how he perceives his allies, with 'condescension and disdain'.

She added: “When Trump refers flippantly to 'one of the presidents, or prime ministers, or whatever,' the dismissiveness is verbal as well as physical. That trailing 'whatever' carries a mocking undertone and shows a lack of respect and a deliberate downplaying of status.

“His body language reinforces this further. As he mentions how 'busy the other countries are', he lifts his elbow in a casual, dismissive shrug, yet another show of dominance, indifference, and control over the narrative. He is also dismissing the other countries, and his mocking tone of voice is reinforced by the choice of language. When talking about another interaction: I spoke to another one and they were celebrating…', The use of 'another one' is deliberate - he is dismissive and condescending."

UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.