Elon Musk is undoubtedly one of the most discussed figures around the world.
Being the man who rebranded Twitter as X, and recently assumed the role of senior advisor to President Donald Trump, there's a lot of attention placed on him. His intellect, multifaceted talents and diverse credentials are well-known, but lately a particular aspect of his body language has sparked widespread interest and gone viral.
A TikTok video has shed light on why Musk frequently adopts a "special gesture" with his hands while conversing, piquing many people's curiosity. The video's creator poses the question: "Why does Elon Musk always make this gesture when he speaks?"
He then reveals some insights from body language experts. The footage shows Musk delivering a speech with his youngest son in tow, who amusingly attempts various ways to stave off boredom, even succumbing to sleep at one point.
Meanwhile, President Trump sits silently beside them. Speaking about the way Musk presents his hands, the content creator explains: "It signifies his absolute confidence in what he says - it's undeniably a power move, much like the ones every '90s supervillain used. He clearly doesn't feel any threat around him."
Since its upload, the intriguing video has attracted thousands of views, with people eager to share their interpretations and theories. The concept behind the hand gesture drew an array of comments.
One viewer remarked: "It's called steeping. He read it in a book about how to act when speaking."
Echoing this sentiment, another replied: "It's said when people keep their hands in that way it shows confidence and an interest in the subject."
Meanwhile, a third commentator offered a contrasting perspective, adding: "No confidence in himself or his talk!"
What exactly does the "steepled fingers" posture mean?
It occurs when someone joins the tips of their fingers together to form a shape resembling a pyramid. Often adopted during speech, this gesture is generally recognized as demonstrating self-assurance and command.
The consensus is that the action conveys expert knowledge over the discussed topic, which gives the speaker an aura of expertise and influence. It’s a particularly conspicuous habit seen among people in authority.
Leaders frequently steeple their hands while presenting or offering advice. This subtle yet impactful movement caries layers of implication, and is possibly more profound than some may initially think.
