On Friday morning, President Trump publicly reacted to Rob Porter's resignation. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of his statement.
Journalist: Do you have any comment on Mr. Porter?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we wish him well. He worked very hard. I found about it - recently and I was surprised by it. But we certainly wish him well. It's a-ah ... obviously tough time - for him. He did a very good job when he was in the White House. Ahum, we hope he has a - wonderful career and - hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him. But ah, it was very sad when we heard about it, and certainly he's also, ah, very sad. Now he also, ah, as you probably know, he says he's innocent – Ω – and I think you have to - remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent - so you'll have to talk to him about that. But we absolutely wish him well - did a very good job while he was at the White House. Thank you very much everybody.
During 0:35, as he says, "... ah ...", the President displaces his derriere backward in his chair in a classic Butt Adjustment. A Butt Adjustment is an Alpha Up-regulation signal triggered by anxiety. The President feels nervous when he's preparing to say, "... as you probably know, he says he's innocent ..."
Additionally, his prolonged blinking is an epiphenomenon of psychological blocking - as the President's psyche is attempting to insulate itself.
One to two seconds later, during 0:36 - 0:37, as he is saying, "... he says he's innocent ...", Donald Trump displays a Lip Curl. A Lip Curl is a signal of Braggadocio, Hubris, and Bravado.
Another second later, during 0:38, just before he says, "... and I think you have to - remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent ...", President Trump exhibits a Jaw Jut (notated by the Ω symbol). It's important to note this is not a jaw jut associated with anger (e.g., there are no other anger signals present). A Jaw Jut in the absence of Anger is indicative of Hubris.
Summary: Intriguingly, Donald Trump became anxious during his defense of Rob Porter - specifically just prior to saying, "... as you probably know, he says he's innocent ...". The President also felt significant hubris-braggadocio-bravado.
Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com
See also:
Body Language Analysis No. 4200: Mike Pence re: Rob Porter and Why It Seems Pence is "Out Of The Loop" on Major News
Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail
Body Language Analysis No. 4196: Trey Gowdy on "Face The Nation"
Body Language Analysis No. 4194: Tom Brady, "Why Does Everyone Want Me To Retire So Bad?"
Body Language Analysis No. 4183: Aly Raisman, Larry Nassar, and USA Gymnastics
Body Language Analysis No. 4149: Zendaya, Zac Efron, and "The Greatest Showman"
Body Language Analysis No. 4125: Michael Flynn, Trick Arrows, and Suppressing Strong Emotions
Body Language Analysis No. 4091: John Kelly's Press Briefing, "I'm not quitting"/"I'm not getting fired"
Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels
_____________________________________________________________________________________
