Reading Between the Lines: What Handwriting Reveals About Trump, Putin, and Xi

Most of us in this digital day and age love to receive the intimacy of a handwritten note or letter but how many of us are aware that putting pen to paper is much more than just a form of human communication?

With just a few lines of handwriting and a signature the graphologist or handwriting analyst is able to deduce far more than the author’s choice of pen or quality of paper. Handwriting is a fine motor co-ordination that captures the character of the writer but also the nuances of the personality at the time of writing including communication style, physical and emotional health, motivations and character.

Our personality is on show with every loop, stoke and mark that we make on the paper and for the last thirty years I have been reading between the lines of the handwriting of leaders and influencers in business and industry but also world leaders.

In these uncertain times we may feel that our future increasingly rest in the hands of a few individuals in power but also in their relationship with each other.

Three of these leaders include Presidents Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s handwritten note and signature

Even the untrained handwriting analyst can identify Trump’s hand due to his trademark broad nibbed black marker pen and diagonally placed large handwriting sprawled across the page.

There is a boldness and confrontational quality to the personality which underpins his need to be seen as in control and uncompromising. The unusual diagonal baseline so often seen in his notes shows him to be an enthusiastic and physically and mentally resilient character who has normally made up his own mind about a situation or problem even before contemplating listening to the other person’s point of view. He is not one to dwell on uncertainty or to exercise undue caution.

The invisible baseline that he has imposed on his writing is so rigid that one could be mistaken to think that he has used a ruler to write on. Many people may view him as impulsive but a rigid baseline shows his true character to be one of control and stubbornness. He enjoys routine and structure and finds it challenging to be swayed by opinion or emotion. However there is a loyalty and unbreakable bond to those people or beliefs that he holds dear.

In this sample of handwriting he has chosen to print rather than to use cursive script. This is common for The President and is a graphological trademark of a writer who wants others to listen and to take him seriously and certainly not to be interrupted. His handwriting is slow and calculated and he wants others to see his conviction and purpose and above all to be seen as logical as opposed to emotional or irrational.

The spaces between the individual words are small, he dislikes being on his own and indeed craves an audience to validate his convictions. He is not a loner in either his professional or personal life.

His signature is extremely angular and tight knit and has both sharp points to the upper zone letters and a strong downward final stroke. His autograph serves as his window to the world and to his public. He is uncompromising, analytical and critical and along with his strong underlining of key words in his text he is determined to put his views across. However on a personal level and out of the public eye he is charismatic, loyal and with high standards of manners.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin’s handwritten note and signature

This sample of President Putin’s handwriting is in cyrillic but as a graphologist I am still able to ascertain the same hand eye co-ordination and mental processes that have been made by the author whatever the language or script.

As with Trump’s writing there is an upward slant which again shows an enthusiasm and upbeat, confident nature. However in this case the choice of pen is a finer nib and a strong rightward movement to the letters. President Putin is motivated by emotion and is an arch communicator. Unlike his counterpart Trump, the letters are rounded and with several loops both at the top of the letters and the swinging lower zone strokes. This leader is not so motivated by raw power and money than a highly emotive love for the motherland. He is controlled but charismatic and has a desire to motivate and inspire others to belief both in himself and his ideals.

His letters are not disjointed like Trump’s but joined and flow together. He is a speedy thinker, more passionate and restless. Although intelligent he can be far from modest and enjoys a rousing applause and devoted followers.

The signature is larger than the main script and is a series of rounded loops. Happy to display his feelings he is perhaps not as aggressive as his outer persona may portray.

Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping’s handwritten signature

President Xi Jinping of China’s signature shows bold and broad strokes. The breadth and pastiness of the strokes show a confident manner with a competitive and bold persona. There is a strong interest in money and the material.

The overall size is large and strong pressure. High energy levels at the time of writing and with excellent attention to detail. There is a strong work ethic and a diligence to see projects through to completion.

The middle or central zone of the strokes are dominant in the handwriting. There is a no nonsense attitude and an ability to think things through logically. Self assured with an ability for sustained effort in all his undertakings.

The strokes are extremely vertical which underlines his ability to focus on the job in hand but also an unwillingness to bend to others’ demands.

The final stroke shows stubbornness, tenacity and a need to act upon a vision based on a linear approach to world politics and his own personal life.

These three key leaders may have uneasy relationships on the world’s stage but their personalities are not so obviously misaligned. Both Trump and Xi Jinping share a tenacity and some may say uncompromising personality and have more shared characteristics than President Putin but all three are natural leaders.

Emma Bache has worked as a graphologist since 1987 and is now considered the UK’s leading handwriting analyst. Her first book, Reading Between The Lines was published by Quercus UK.