Last night, after Donald Trump's rally-speech in Phoenix, James Clapper was a guest on CNN. The former Director of National Intelligence displayed a multitude of body language signals during his interview this interview. What follows is a highlight of just a crucial few of Mr. Clapper's nonverbal moments.
DON LEMON (beginning at 0:07): What did you think of tonight's performance by President Trump?
JAMES CLAPPER: Well, a, Don, it's hard to know where to, where to start, ahhhh, it's just so objectionable on so many, ah, levels. Ahum, you know I toiled in one capacity or another for every President, ah, since and including John F. Kennedy through President Obama and I don't know when I've listened and watched something like this - of a president that I found more, ah, disturbing. Having some understanding of ah, the levers of power that are available to a president if, ah, he chooses to exercise 'em. Ah, I found this, ah, ah, downright scary and, and ah, and disturbing.
I think, ah, Bakari [Bakari Sellers] is, ah, right on the money though, that th-, this is not a surprise. It, [clears throat] interesting to contrast, ah, last night's ah, teleprompter Trump performance, ah, versus, ah, tonight, which is of course, ah, the real Trump*. Ah, just as, it was in that the unglued impromptu press conference, ah, at Trump Tower. So I, I just find this, ah, [deep inhalation] extremely disturbing.
LEMON: Are you questioning his fitness?
CLAPPER: Yes, I do. I, I, I, I really ques, question, ah, his, ah, ability to ah, his fitness to be in this office.
During 0:42, as Mr. Clapper says, "... the levers of power that are available to a president if, ah, he chooses to exercise 'em ...", he displays an excellent example of a microexpression of Contempt.
A few seconds later, during 0:52, as the former Director of National Intelligence says, "... downright scary ...", he displays a second microexpression of contempt.
Just after he says, "... versus, ah, tonight, which is of course, ah, the real Trump ..." (during 1:14), James Clapper displays a Tight Tongue Jut" (be careful not to confuse this with a "Loose Tongue Jut") This too is very rapid - ergo, it's also a type of microexpression. A tight tongue jut is a signal of strong distaste, disgust, and disdain.
During 1:25, just after he says, "... I, I just find this, ah, [deep inhalation] extremely disturbing...", Mr. Clapper displays a nonverbal cluster involving his lower face including:
- Clenched Jaw
- Thinned Lips (almost disappeared)
- Mouth Corners and Cheeks Vectored Far Laterally
- Tissue adjacent to Lips Bulging
- Anger
- Frustration
- Regret
Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com
See also:
Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy
Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats
Body Language Analysis No. 4034: Steve Bannon's Critical Evaluation
Body Language Analysis No. 4032: John Kelly's Reaction to Donald Trump's Press Conference Regarding the Events in Charlottesville
Body Language Analysis No. 4017: Elisabeth Moss, Anthony Rizzo, and a Signal of Sincerity
Body Language Analysis No. 4012: Anthony Scaramucci's and Reince Priebus' First (and Last) Photo in the Oval Office
Body Language Analysis 3988: Kim Jong-un, ICBMs, False Joy, and Fake Laughter
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3918: The Image of Kim Jong-un He Most Prefers the World to See
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3835: Beauty and the Beast – Official Final Trailer
_____________________________________________________________________________________
