Topic > Donald Trump Analysis: Making America Great Again

Trump is a man of specific gestures, as he leads his verbal communication to an audience that eagerly awaits his great leadership. Trump displays five significant hand gestures in which he portrays and explains his message to people (What Donald Trump's hand gestures say about him - BBC News). As far as semiotics is concerned, this is the media producer's attempt to exemplify the signs that Trump predominantly exhibits in his speeches; where the actions represent the signifier and the signified stands as the concept signified. To illustrate, the "L shape and pinch" means it's not everywhere, etc.; highlights that he knows what he is doing and that his plans are going well. Furthermore, the “Palms Out” gesture shows the public that Trump is cautious and tells Americans to be careful; when he expresses his message; using this gesture tells the audience that his resolutions are difficult to manage. As exemplified by BBC News, Trump tends to put his fingers together and point at someone to make him seem less of a whistleblower. Furthermore, the gesture of “Slicing” demonstrates precision, that people need to do something about the situation the country is currently facing. Furthermore, Trump raises his thumb to convey that everything is fine and that the American people will overcome whatever concerns them. Furthermore, “Wild Gestures” shows his 'chaos' in the sense that he doesn't know what he's doing and that he doesn't have a plan. In the Facebook video, Trump's hand gestures are a main aspect of his speeches. New Yorkers use hand gestures, everyone does; therefore, it indicates that Trump could be considered an average person, these hand gestures imply that he wants to relate to everyone rather than appear as an authority figure. However, an important signal that Trump establishes in the clip is him also raising his arm outstretched in the air, looking very much like a Hitler.