I made a post about power talk a while ago. It was mainly kept in the abstract, and on techniques people can employ to recognise it, rather than looking at specific situations.

I was watching a news conference recently, and there were enough striking examples of power talk in it, that I thought it would be fun to do an analysis. Hopefully interesting, and thought provoking as well.

 

I'm going to assume everyone is familiar with the concept of power talk - this might be a wrong assumption to make, but if necessary I can link the relevant articles that give a good description.

 

So, the stage

A press conference between dear leader of the western world, Donald J Trump, and grey haired jewel in the crown of brexit opportunism, that is Theresa May. Repsective leaders of the United States and Great Britiain.

Now a little background before diving in. Theresa May is visiting Donald Trump, the first invited foreign leader to do so, and the press has been buzzing like a child dizzy on sugar, speculating over how they will get along. And what will be the nature of the "special relationship" between the USA and Britain, and personified in Theresa and Trump.

It will not be a surprise to many of you, that all of the examples of power talk come from Trump...

 

Here is the conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb-pUW7R5XQ

 

There are three sections we're going to be looking at, and will require you to watch along, I'll provide timestamps. The opening is mostly just pre-written statements, we're skipping first, to the longest. Section 1, at 7m36s...

 

The Unwelcome Question - (minutes 7.36 - 8.37)

7.36 - Question starts - Trump looks mildly interested, evaluative

7.46 - Trump smiles, the questioner is talking about where they will disagree - he is trying counteract some of the negativity of the question, but the smile quickly fades.

7.50 - By this point he is not happy - his face is a clear picture, he views the question as antagonistic, his attention is firmly focused on the questioner, very much paying attention now.

7.53 - Trump tries to undermine the negativity again with a joking off the cuff remark "Absolutely" - responded to with laughter by some present as a way of letting some of the tension out, and it works.

7.57 - "Let's see what she says...." The questioner takes back control and some of the tension with a subtle threat

8.22 - Question ends

8.23 - Trump points accusingly at Theresa "This was your choice of a question?".. Then turns away from her, shakes his head briefly... "There goes that relationship...".

With this Trump is saying multiple things. Threatening, accusing but doing so in a way that seems just jokey and off hand enough to not be overt. the "There goes that relationship..." is saying this is something that he can take away with ease, a veiled threat in the form of a joke. Trump dangling the special relationship as something potentially volatile, and a bargaining chip, will come up again soon.

8.35 - More head shakes and he pulls a stupid face - undermining May and suggesting shes been an idiot // fool.

 

"Special relationship" - (minutes 11.09 - 11.32)

In a question about the US relationship with Russia, Trump uses the opportunity to make a threat.

11.09 - Trump segways from the initial question into a general one, about how he sometimes gets on very well with people he didn't expect to, and sometimes dislikes people he thought he'd like

11.27 - "Soo..... Theresa....we never know about those things do we..." He says soooo theresa in an almost sing-song like manner, and the whole thing is presented as an offhand remark he just thought of. It is not.

Minute 11.09 is him purposefully setting up this remark and threat. Again he dangles the special relationship, and a relationship with him, as something easily lost, that he can take away with ease... hes willing to threaten, joke about it. He holds the power, the bargaining chips and the control over the situation, and emphasizes that.

Liberals, and people who dislike Trump will often call him stupid. For all his strengths and weaknesses, stupidity is not one of them. The man is exceptionally aware and skilled at what he does, particularly with people.

 

Mexico! - (minute 11.47 - 14.34)

A questioner asks Trump about concerns over the relationship with Mexico, and also asks the question to Theresa May.

12:15 - "Well I think the Prime Minister, first of all, has other things that she's much more worried about. Than Mexico and the United States relationship" - The intent of this is clear - back off. You are not worried about this question.

If you notice his hand gestures during this as well he is pushing her away, telling her to back off, this is not your question. By adding "Than mexico and the United States relationship" at the end, he is emphasising this is nothing to do with you, our business.

Theresa smiles and laughs during this - many politicians would leave it to the discretion of the other to not encroach on their own concerns rather than a threat and a "back off". Not Trump, he is more overt, not diplomatic or subtle, but emphatic, and forces his control on the situation.

14:26 - Theresa obediently and diplomatically stays out.

 

There we have it. Some small examples of Powertalk - maybe over analysed on my part! and they are brief examples, but in many ways speak volumes.

Hopefully this will be of interest - in many ways life is a game at all levels, and recognising Powertalk will improve your ability to play it.