On Tuesday 7 March 2023, Senator Mitch McConnell said, "Clearly, the Chief of the Capitol Police, in my view, correctly describes what most of us witnessed, firsthand, on January 6th..."
Senator McConnell continued, "...It was a mistake, in my view, for Fox News to depict this in a way that's completely at variance with what our chief law enforcement official here at the Capitol thinks."
A partial Body Language analysis of Senator Thune's reaction to what Senator McConnell said is included here.
When anyone makes a public statement or answers questions before an audience, along with evaluating the speaker — never overlook their colleagues.
A tremendous amount of information can be gleaned by watching the body language of others who have similar points of view (who may or may not be on stage/before the camera with them).
To that end, the following analysis will focus on Senator John Thune's reaction to Senator Mitch McConnell's statement regarding Fox News' characterization of events of January 6th.
John Thune (in his 4th term) often is physically and symbolically standing behind Mitch McConnell during many of his public statements. Thune is the Minority Whip and a likely successor to McConnell for Republican leadership in the Senate.
Although it's on the edge of our camera view, at the very beginning of this video (and persisting throughout), Thune puts his hands in his pockets. When on stage or on camera, such an act is highly inadvisable.
While some people believe it makes them appear relaxed or suave, placing hands in one's pockets is a strong indicator (particularly when on stage or on camera) of emotional discomfort, low confidence, and very possibly, depending on the other accompanying nonverbal displays — deception.
Notice how Thune elevates up on his toes many times during this video. Please watch the accompanying video, as still images cannot capture this dynamic.
Elevating on one's toes in this manner is a reliable sign of an Adrenaline Surge (which, taken in isolation, could indicate excitement or significant anxiety). However, in this particular example, we have multiple accompanying nonverbals to increase our nuance.
Notice also, although his upper face is cut off through much of this short video, that Thune is also blinking quite frequently. An increase in blinking frequency is a reliable indicator of anxiety.
Did you notice (at 0:58) Thune's Shoulder Shrugging, whilst closing his eyelids,...
....tilting (flexing) his head-neck down, pointed toward the floor, immediately after McConnell said, "...It was a mistake in my view for Fox News to depict this in a way that's completely at variance with what our chief law enforcement official here at the Capitol thinks."?
This is consistent cluster is indicative of an amalgam of shame, culpability-guilt, and a "what could I do about it?" emotional tone. Thune is trying to distance himself from the events of January 6th.
Throughout most of the video, Thune configures his mouth opening/lips in a Forward Lip Purse.
A forward Lip Purse is a highly-reliable indicator of the thought-feelings of a Clandestine Disagreement, Withheld Information, and/or an Undisclosed Plan.
SUMMARY: Despite standing up against Trump somewhat in the past, Senator John Thune has considerable anxiety, emotional discomfort, and cognitive-emotional dissonance with Mitch McConnell's blunt criticism of Fox News.
All professionals interested in learning #BodyLanguage, please email (Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com) or DM me — esp. attorneys, judges, actors, directors, C-level executives, sales professionals, health care professionals, teachers, parents, and those in crisis management.
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