Elon Musk tries to ‘intimidate’ Donald Trump with subtle gesture to prove he’s the boss

Elon Musk has carved out a major role for himself within the administration of Donald Trump after he bankrolled the Republican’s run for the presidency last year

Elon Musk attended Trump’s Cabinet meeting despite holding no official role in the office (Image: Getty Images)

Elon Musk tried to “intimidate” Donald Trump at a US Cabinet meeting with a subtle gesture that he used to make clear he is the true boss, a body language expert has said.

The world’s richest man made clear his powerful position within the administration of Donald Trump on Monday when he took a seat a the cabinet meeting, despite holding no official role. Mr Musk was the subject of fawning praise, including from none other than the president himself.

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“Elon, I want to thank you,” Mr Trump said. “I know you’ve been a lot with this horrible situation that happened. Very unfair. What he is is a patriot… He’s become a friend of mine.” Mr Trump said following a series of attacks and demonstrations at Tesla dealerships across the globe.

Throughout the meeting attended by journalists, Mr Musk wore a red hat in the style of Make America Great Again caps, with the words “Trump was right about everything” emblazoned on it. He then took a seat at the table with other powerful figures close to the president, although only a name was included in front of him and no title.

Elon Musk has a senior position in the Trump administration(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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Body language expert Judi James told The Mirror the billionaire showed subtle clues that would make it clear to any observer that he was the one in charge. She added: “Firstly, Elon has a status upgrade here.

“The first time he was relegated to standing at the side of the room to pitch like a salesman to the cabinet who sat as one exiling group around the table. This time he has a seat, and he is presenting as territorially powerful by placing his elbows onto the table.

“The hat brings a more lightweight, casual and even comic presence but his body language oozes serenity and calm power here. First, we have the distant, reflective gaze of the thinker, combined with an upward steeple or ‘pray’ hand position that suggests a guru or expert.

Elon Musk’s gesture shows he believes himself to be in charge (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“The wrists and the fingers have splayed while the fingertips touch in a full upward steeple gesture that is one of status and control, plus precision thinking. These poses could be intimidating and would normally define who was the boss around the boardroom table.”

Mr Musk effectively bankrolled a major slice of Mr Trump’s race for the White House and was rewarded with the creation of a non-government department aimed at slashing what he called government waste. On the campaign trail Mr Musk said he could eliminate about $2 trillion in waste, the total estimated cost of the US war in Iraq, including direct spending costs and veteran care.

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But critics have claimed out that Mr Musk has used his government role to carelessly cut government employees without fully understanding their roles or misunderstanding them as being diversity hires.