Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3583: Donald Trump, Reaching out to Bernie Sanders' Supporters and Insincerity Tells - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

After winning New Jersey Primary tonight, Donald Trump made a specific appeal to several groups - including Bernie Sanders' supporters. The video excerpt above includes this overture.

One specific and telling nonverbal displayed by Mr. Trump is isolated and discussed below.

At several times, particularly during 0:16 ("... I'll work hard ...")  and again during 0:17 ("... to earn your support ...."), Mr. Trump's mouth momentarily takes on a vertically oriented rectangular configuration.

In one respect, this nonverbal display is a subset of a larger group of body language facial behaviors - that of exaggerated mouth movements.

Such hyperbolic mouth contortions are highly characteristic of a person believing he is a relative alpha - who is speaking to a person or people whom he believes to be inferiors (beta). Thus when exaggerated mouth movements are used, it's a signal of arrogance and condescending emotional tones.

This dynamic is not a natural mouth or lip movement in this context - and it's not just indicative of a person who's talking loudly. And it's not simply an idiosyncrasy of Mr. Trump's mouth or speaking style.



Slicing this even thinner, this vertical rectangle mouth seen here is indicative of hubris and insincerity.

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3582: Brock Turner's Dad Draws Outrage of "20 Minutes of Action" - Lack of Empathy and No Remorse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3575: Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump - Comparison Their of Wikipedia Profile Photos

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3561: Catchphrase, Andy Samberg, Bryce Harper and Gigi Hadid

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3542: Lara Croft, Keeley Hawes, Sexual Energy and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3369: University of Missouri Protesters Obstructing the Press

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3477: Henry Cavill Asks Children - Batman or Superman?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3442: Jennifer Lawrence Scolds Journalist at Golden Globes


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