It was revealed on Thursday that Mika Brzezinski has managed to recently complete a divorce in a rather under-the-radar fashion. Her Morning Joe co-host, Joe Scarborough, went through a divorce three years earlier. It's also been rumored the two are dating.
Along these lines, there is a very obvious and classic nonverbal display exampled in the video segment above. And while it's not definitive for a clandestine relationship, it is strongly suggestive of it.
Duping delight is a nonverbal behavior wherein a sincere smile (aka a Duchenne smile) is displayed - yet partially suppressed (to a varying degree). One way this occurs is via a partial hand covering. This is response to the joy some people feel when it is believed they have perpetrated a successful deception. What is seen here is a variation on this theme. Joe Scarborough smiles sincerely - but also partially during the following dialog:
Mika Brzezinski: "Can I get to the lead story now?"
Joe Scarborough: [over-talking] "By the way, there's, there's, there are a lot of lead stories today but why don't we start with the Trump lead story."
Mika: [over-talking]: "I will finish your sentence and start with politics."
The two hosts were fairly specifically poking fun at the rumors that they were dating. Mika did a better job at suppressing her smile than did Joe. If their relationship were only platonic, and they were simply exercising self-deprecating humor, there would be much less impetus to suppress a smile. The fact that Scarborough felt the need to bring a glass to his mouth - (a classic example of a MAP surrogate [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier]) - in order to assist in the direct suppression of his smile, strongly suggests that the romantic rumors are true.
If there were nothing to drink and Scarborough instead put his hand to his mouth in an otherwise similar manner, what would you think such a gesture would indicate?
The act of putting a glass/cup to one's mouth and drinking will give the person camouflage, time and a direct mechanical interruption so that the smile/laugh cycle can be partially or completely broken.
It's also a red flag that the "lead story" the two jokingly allude to - is their alleged love-relationship, rather than her divorce (for among other things, with regard to what the public KNOWS to be true - her divorce is fact, while their affair is still speculation). Moreover, Scarborough can't offer condolences to Brzezinski if he has been a catalyst or a cause for the break-up of her marriage.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3605: John Kennedy, Hands on Podium and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3599: The Brexit, David Cameron announces his Resignation, Protection and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3592: Gary Johnson, The Libertarian Party and Beta Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3580: Muhammad Ali, Donald Trump, Repulsion and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3540: Johnny Manziel's Ego
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3319: Donald Trump Feels He Has Nothing to Apologize For - Body Language on Stephen Colbert's Late Show
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2064: David Cameron & Boris Johnson - Wincing at Wimbledon
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