On Monday a Truck attack directed at a Christmas market in Berlin Germany killed 12 people while wounding 49. The initial suspect has been released and it is currently believed the true perpetrator is Anis Amri, a 24 year-old Tunisian native.
On Monday just after the attack President-Elect Trump issued a written statement saying, "ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad."
On Wednesday morning Mr. Trump responded directly to questions regarding the same attack. This brief exchange is included in the video above and a portion of it is here examined and highlighted as a nonverbal teaching example.
Beginning at 0:35 in the above video a journalist asks: Um, Your, your comments about the ah, truck attack in Berlin being against Christians - You think that this might, um, -
Trump: Say it again. What?
Journalist: Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?
Trump: Wher - who said that? When did, when was that said?
Journalist: I think, I believe you said it in a press release.
Trump: So [inaudible]
Journalist: So, I'm wondering how this might affect the relations -
Trump: It's an attack on humanity. That's what it is, it's an attack on humanity - And [inaudible] it's gotta be stopped. Thank you. Thank you.
As the Journalist repeats a portion of her question, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?
During this sentence, the President Elect displays a "Tongue Jut" (more specifically a "Tight Forward Tongue Jut") signifying Mr. Trumps disdain (and distaste) for the question. A tight tongue jut is a nonverbal behavior which has its roots in infancy (we all exhibit this from time-to-time) - a vestigial remnant from pushing distasteful food out of one's mouth.
Then Donald Trump immediately displays a "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) as the journalist continues the same sentence, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?"
An inward lip roll is a nonverbal manifestation of our psyche trying to suppress an emotion from being displayed outwardly - while simultaneously also down-regulating its growth inwardly.
As she finishes the same sentence, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?"- President Elect Trump displays a "Forward Lip Purse".
A forward lip purse indicates a clandestine disagreement and/or a clandestine plan. Moreover, it signifies an important disparity between what is said aloud versus what is being thought-felt. Only alpha individuals (or who perceive themselves to be a relative alpha in the real time context) display a forward lip purse. In addition, they also believe they have a good chance of successfully implementing and following through on their idea/plan.
Summary: President Elect Trump did not like being questioned on his feelings regarding whether he felt this terrorist act was specifically directed at Christians. He then successfully suppressed his negative emotions - and immediately following this he was actively formulating-contemplating a plan/idea which he kept to himself.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3792: Notre Dame's Matt Farrell and Family Surprised by Brother Bo's Military Homecoming at Basketball Game
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3790: Senator John McCain Believes Russian Election Interference Could 'Destroy Democracy'
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3788: President Obama's Press Conference - "Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin"
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3696: Jimmy Kimmel's 2016 Emmys Opening Monologue - Sarah Paulson brought Marcia Clark
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 MTV Video Music Awards
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3620: Cristiano Ronaldo's Injury, UEFA Euro 2016 and Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language
_____________________________________________________________________________________