As with material for comedians across the World, Donald Trump also supplies a never-ending fodder of extreme body language to those who study it. Today in Sioux Center, Iowa, Mr. Trump said, "... My people are so smart. And you know what else they say about my people? - The polls. They say, 'I have the most loyal people'. Did you ever see that? Where I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, Okay? It's like incredible!"
This was not simply hyperbolic boasting. Note that Mr. Trump used a handgun illustrator (not to be confused with the "pistol steeple") during this braggadocio statement. In addition when he said, "shoot" - he moved his thumb as a visual metaphor for pulling the trigger. Moreover he "aimed" his handgun directly at the camera/audience.
With the exception of some military or law enforcement, melodrama or comedic scenarios this is an extremely rare body language illustrator for anyone in a leadership position to display - particularly those who are running for office. If you watch 10,000 hours of news reports and you won't see this again. Even the more simple (and much more common) index finger (forefinger) pointing is highly offensive and hyper-aggressive - regardless of the country or culture. But a simulated gun firing gesture raises the ramifications to a level rarely seen. Its use in this manner is highly correlative with low or absent empathy, impulse control disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and (on occasion) antisocial personality disorder.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3442: Jennifer Lawrence Scolds Journalist at Golden Globes
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3440: Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump - What Trump Really Thinks About Palin
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3431: El Chapo, Sean Penn, an Interview and a Handshake
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3424: Donald Trump, "Hillary Clinton created ISIS with Obama"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3265: Donald Trump, Exaggerated Mouth Movements, Narcissistic and Hyper-Alpha Personalities
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3025: Vladimir Putin, Alpha Hand Signals and "The Claw"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3358: Hillary Clinton on Stephen Colbert - We Let the Banks Fail Next Time
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not)
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