CNN issues Donald Trump news alert after 'humiliating' blow – but it backfires

CNN found itself in an awkward spot after airing a segment on Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

The meeting was billed as a step toward exploring a possible peace deal in Russia’s ongoing conflict, though no agreement was announced. Trump, however, described the talks as “positive.”

Following the summit, CNN invited body language expert Chris Ulrich to analyze the leaders’ interactions. Ironically, instead of reinforcing the narrative that Trump had been “steamrolled” by Putin (as some reports suggested), Ulrich’s breakdown painted a different picture.

He noted that Trump clapped as Putin approached a gesture Ulrich described as both a rapport-builder and a subtle way of shifting authority. When the two men shook hands, Ulrich explained that Trump first showed deference but quickly reestablished dominance through hand-patting and guiding gestures. “It’s a dominant gesture,” Ulrich concluded. “He’s in control, he’s in command.”

CNN host Michael Smerconish added that these interactions were highly choreographed rather than spontaneous, saying, “Both of them will have thought in advance how do I want to do this? It’s the furthest thing from a candid moment you’ll ever find.”

Clips of the segment quickly made the rounds online. Some viewers mocked CNN for what they saw as a failed attempt to embarrass Trump. One user wrote, “LMAO! CNN had a body language expert on and he had nothing but good things to say. He’s in control, he’s in COMMAND! Liberals are going to hate this.” Another added, “Probably not the outcome CNN was hoping for, Trump came off looking 100% in charge.”

Still, not everyone agreed. Fox News reporter Jacqui Henrich described the meeting as “atypical” and said it felt like Putin “steamrolled” Trump in the room highlighting the starkly different interpretations across media outlets.