Body Language Analysis No. 4223: Donald Trump to Republican Senator, "You're Afraid of the NRA" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

President Trump has flip-flopped regarding his stance on gun control in the last several days. However, to say that he, "Surprised everyone" during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday 28 February - would be a dramatic understatement. What follows is a nonverbal analysis of one key moment of that meeting.

DONALD TRUMP (continuing at 2:22): ... It doesn’t make sense that - I have to wait 'til I’m twenty-one to get a handgun, but I can get this - weapon at  - eighteen. I dunno [up-talking]. So I was just curious as to what you did in your bill? You don't address it.

PAT TOOMEY: We didn’t address it, Mr. President, but I think we -

DONALD TRUMP: You know why? ‘Cause you’re afraid of the NRA, right?

After President Trump's retort to Senator Toomey, Trump smiled.

Trump's smile was a sincere smile (aka a Duchenne Smile). This particular emotional expression is a rare event for Donald Trump - truly quite unusual. All politicians' smile - yet they are uncommonly sincere - and with President Trump, sincere smiles are extremely unusual.

Note all the components of a sincere smile are present in the above image (from 2:36 in the video):

• Eyelids Partially Closed
• Dynamic, concave-up Furrow in each lower eyelid
• Relaxed forehead muscles
• Only upper teeth visible (a trace of his lower teeth can be seen due to the elevated camera angle)
• Primarily Upward-vectored cheek muscles and mouth

Summary: Donald Trump took sincere pleasure - experiencing a moment of rare true joy-happiness - in his act of calling-out Pat Toomey, a Republican Senator - on camera - saying that Toomey was "afraid of the NRA".


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4222: Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird, and Embarrassment Anxiety

Body Language Analysis No. 4220: President Trump's Reaction to Governor Jay Inslee ("We need a little less tweeting here and a little more listening")

Body Language Analysis No. 4219: Ivanka Trump's Reaction to Question regarding Donald Trump's Sexual Assault Accusers

Body Language Analysis No. 4217: Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther, Anxiety, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4188: Donald Trump Gets Booed at Davos for Calling the Press "Fake"

Body Language Analysis No. 4147: Alabama Senator Richard Shelby regarding Roy Moore

Body Language Analysis No. 4126: Jeff Sessions' Joking regarding Kislyak/Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4099: Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, and Jim Leavelle

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3647: Yusra Mardini, Refugees, Syrian Swimmer, and Sincere Smiles - Body Language (PHOTOS)

In August of 2015, Seventeen year old Yusra Mardini and her sister Sarah fled Syria - a country torn by civil war since 15 March 2011. First traveling to Lebanon and then to Turkey, they then embarked on a voyage to Greece in a grossly overloaded boat (twenty people total - when it should have had only six or seven maximum). After only twenty minutes, their motor failed - and their craft was taking on water. Then Yusra (who was already an accomplished swimmer), Sarah and two other passengers did something remarkably courageous - they got into the water and pushed their boat for three and a half hours to safety, eventually arriving on the island of Lesbos (Greece). Over the next several weeks, the two sisters traveled to Germany and later their parents, who also fled Syria, joined them.

The story doesn't end there though - for Yusra is also competing in as a swimmer in Rio de Janeiro. She is a member of the first ever "Refugee Olympic Athletes Team" (ROT) and will swim the 100 meter butterfly as well as the 100 meter freestyle.

Both of these images of Yusra Mardini demonstrate a nonverbal truism that most people never have contemplated - a smile can be sincere when no teeth are showing - and indeed even with a closed mouth.

Despite the fact that in each example, Yusra's mouth corners are only just a bit up-turned - many individuals will tell you instinctively that her smile is very sincere. And they would be correct.

Each of these photos include these crucial smile characteristics:

1. A relaxed (non-contracted) forehead
2. Partially closed eyelids
3. Concave-up (and temporary) furrows in the lower lids
4. Upward vectored cheek muscles
5. Upturned Mouth Corners 

While in each case, her smile is a sincere one (aka Duchenne Smile) - each is also partially suppressed. The example above is slightly more expressed, while in the second smile (below), Ms. Mardini's smile is a bit more suppressed.

Additionally, in the example below, Yusra's mouth is asymmetrical (a bit more expressed on her left side). Sincere yet Suppressed Smiles will very often have a mouth which is indeed asymmetrical - yet the same is also true of many insincere smiles. It's crucial to differentiate theses in a fraction of a second - can you tell the difference?

There's a higher medal than Gold - and Yusra Mardini has already earned it.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3646: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Visas, Citizenship and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3643: What Will Donald Trump Do If He Trails in the Polls By a Large Margin? - Body Language and Predicting Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3624: Terrorist Attack in Nice, France

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3614: Daniel Radcliffe, Imperium and a Subtle Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3507: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck and Amy Adams Do The Batman Voice - The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3481: Gordon Ramsay Tries Girl Scout Cookies for the First Time



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2345: Tiger Woods & Lindsey Vonn - Body Language of True Affection?

The last few days have been big ones for Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn. Last week the World Class golfer and all-Universe skier announced that they're officially a couple. And today, after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, Tiger Woods has regained the World number one golf ranking - a position he has not held since October 2010. It was his third win of 2013.

There have been some in the press that have suggested the two great athletes are dating as a publicity stunt. Obviously, that would be very ill-advised. Certainly this and similar tactics have been taken by others in the past, but it is not the case here. And while the two images in this post are posed pictures taken by a professional photographer - there are signals of true affection exampled here that would escape the mind of most. Indeed these and many other valuable signs are missed daily by most during dates, marriages and pre-break-ups. 

In each of these two photos, both Vonn and Woods are sporting a highly sincere aka "Duchenne" smiles. Most importantly their eyes are partially closed with a dynamic, concave-up lower lid furrow. Without this partial closure - (a contraction of the orbicularis oculi pars orbitalis muscle which also elevates and "bunches up" the cheeks), a smile is NEVER sincere. 

Very few can make a sincere smile on-demand. Even professional actors when interviewed about their own lives events, families, etc. And While all who are in front of the press often - and who depend on their public image for much of their income and success (like these two athletes do) - almost none of them have body language training. They absolutely should. The same logic of course goes for non-athletes who appear on-camera or have a significant amount of high-value face-time with others (e.g. attorneys, physicians, sales professions, corporate executives, law enforcement, politicians, etc.). Ignore and neglect the nonverbal channel your peril.

Another component of a sincere smile is the upper teeth being visible - though this is not required (e.g. during suppressed smiles). However the lower teeth, in general, should not be seen during a sincere smile - with the following exceptions: 

1. If held for too long (e.g. during prolonged posing sessions) the bottom teeth become visible 

    due to fatigue (most probably contributing to Woods' slight lower teeth being exposed here)

2. Downward camera angle (camera or view of another person positioned above mouth looking 

    and looking downwards, also contributing here)

3. During the transition to, in the midst of, or in the final throws of laughter (possibly contributing)

Sincere smiles should also ALWAYS have relaxed foreheads. A contracted forehead - with dynamic furrows is a sure sign of a false, fake or insincere smile. Only relaxed foreheads are seen here on both Woods and Vonn.

The upper photo demonstrates several signals of affection that are particularly important. Note how Lindsey is on Tiger's left side - she is held closure to his heart with her body turned towards him. This literal "closeness to the heart" is a visual and nonverbal metaphor for the true affection (and true love) that exists. Very few professional photographers are aware of this particular left-sided nonverbal affection signal - yet those in love "know it" subconsciously and gravitate towards it. Parents who have true affection for their children will also bias their holding and cuddling of their children on their left chest, regardless of their handedness. 

Physical proximity of their heads and their necks and heads leaning towards each other is also a strong signal of affection (and an absolute give away in office romances that are trying to be kept secret).

Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods are not conducting a publicity stunt. They are in love and their body language shows a high degree of affection for one another.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1211:  Tiger's Eyes -  Subtle Signal, Severe Anger

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 483:  Handshake on the 18th - not so fast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2332:  Instinctive Body Language, Comforting an Infant & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's  Breast Feeding, Dr. William Sears, and Attachment Parenting Controversy - Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353:  Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes -  Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2329: Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook) on 60 Minutes AND a bit of Mark Zuckerberg - Two Crucial Body Language Tells

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and one of the most highly respected, successful and accomplished leaders in business today. She was interviewed by Norah O'Donnell in an episode of "60 Minutes" which aired yesterday. Ms. Sandberg's over-all nonverbal impression is one consistent with a high "sincerity quotient". If you were in conducting voir dire - you would want her on your jury.

Here Ms. Sandberg is captured in the middle of a Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression (R2E2). This nonverbal occurs from 3:16 - 3:17 and again at 3:20 - 3:21. The R2E2 can look virtually identical to disgust-contempt nonverbal displays (however the emotion/thoughts being experienced are very different) - particularly to beginners and when captured in a still image - so it's best to view in the dynamics of a video (therefor in a photo it is not the most flattering face - my apologies Ms. Sandberg). The R2E2 is highly context-related and is used during speech when the speaker is trying to rationalize and/or wants the listener to co-rationalize with their action, behavior, opinion, etc. Rapport and empathy are also being sought - thus its lengthy name. This particular configuration is a body language "cluster" of all of several emotions being displayed simultaneously.  Like all nonverbal communication - over 99% of the time it's initiated from our subconscious. We all will use the R2E2. One place it's seen extremely commonly is in a sales situation. Ten minutes with a real estate agent and you will see it many times. Like all body language - beware when you see it too often. Here, Sheryl Sandberg (for a few seconds) is role-playing two similar scenarios where she feels that professional women sell themselves (and their futures) short.

There often is an accompanying higher frequency shift in the voice during the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression as well as false/forced laughter and a leaning forward. Sometimes there is a touching of the person who is being spoken to - or an abbreviated gesture of reaching toward them. These additional actions serve as amplifiers and anchors in the effort to gain rapport/empathy/co-rationalization. Again, here Ms. Sandberg temporarily plays the role of those who are trying to convince themselves and others.

The presence of the R2E2 is a signal that the speaker believes that you (or they or both) are not necessarily fully convinced of their idea, plan, actions, etc. 

Mark Zuckerberg (Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Facebook) is not interviewed in this 60 Minutes segment - but he does appear on camera for brief segments. This image is from 5:39 and Mr. Zuckerberg is viewed from his right side from a distance. Take note of his eyebrows. They are in a normal resting position.

This image, taken less than one second after the above image, shows Mr. Zuckerberg in the midst of an "eyebrow flash". Although not always present, this often occurs just prior to a verbal greeting-sincere smile (which is just beginning here) and are very brief in duration and is one (of many) examples of a microexpression.

The eyebrow flash is a strong signal of sincerity. People who display it are also typically in a relatively non-stressed emotional tone. When the eyebrow flash does not appear an instant prior to a smile-greeting, (opposite of what is exampled here) - those being greeted will feel less sincere feelings towards their greeter, they will not trust the smile (and the person) as much with less rapport engendered. Thus the lack of an initial eyebrow flash is one signal of an insincere smile (aka false smile or social smile).

Here Mr. Zuckerberg verbalizes a greeting with a co-existing smile (at second later at 5:40). Note his partial closure of his eyelids - a requirement for a sincere smile (aka Duchenne Smile).







This was a great interview - and from a body language perspective - it was packed full of many examples. These were but two short moments - yet them were two very crucial nonverbal signals.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1143: Santorum Video Analysis - R2E2 and other Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2097: Mitt Romney's "No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate" defense - Body Language of Rationalization, Rapport and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1732: The Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression & How Jewel got her name

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2193: Keira Knightley interview re: "Anna Karenina" -  Body Language of "R2E2" Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 2091: Sincere Smiling (a' la Blake Lively) and Laughing - Reduces Anxiety and  Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353:  Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2157: Al Smith Charity Dinner - Are Barack Obama's & Mitt Romney's Smiles  Sincere or False?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2099: Nikki Haley & Sarah Palin - Governors in Contrast

Nikki Haley, the current Governor of South Carolina (left) and Sarah Palin, the previous Republican Vice Presidential candidate and past Governor of Alaska are pictured here at a campaign event. Haley has a sincere smile although it was held too long and thus her bottom teeth are beginning to show. Note also her partially closed eyelids, the concave-up furrows in each lower eyelid, and her relaxed forehead - all required of a sincere, Duchenne smile (Ekman).

Palin's face is one of moderate disgust. This is characterized by her tight and raised upper lip, the tightened area above the upper lip (aka the "mustache area" regardless of sex), her flared nostrils and her mildly wrinkled chin. Palin's facial expression is in strong dissonance with her "friendly" (feigned) waving nonverbal as well as Haley's body language. Sarah's hand waving is conscious and deliberate act while her facial expression - is unconsciously displayed and betrays her true emotional tone.

See also:

Analysis # 2019: Sarah Palin's "Co-Hosting" on the Today Show - She Fears Romney's Candidacy 

Analysis # 1267: John McCain, Sarah Palin and Bell's Palsy

Analysis # 54: The Manubrial Touch Betrays Our Feelings - Sarah Palin's Mistake

Analysis # 703: Bad Handshake? Let me count the ways!

Analysis # 1841: Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's "Hoodie" Joke

Analysis # 1496: Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Analysis # 1552: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & The Buffett Rule 

Analysis # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2095: Canoodling with the Weathergirl

Many people don't know what "Canoodle" means. Anchorman Andrew Johnson didn't - but his colleague, Astrid Braunschmidt does. In this hilarious clip, the Victoria Island B.C. Anchorman also doesn't pay much attention to the previous story (partially included here as well) and particularly the "...it's (Union Bay) properly named then?" line.

While there are many body language signals, here are some highlights: 

0:16 Canoodle reference in original story.

0:33 - 0:36 Andrew Johnson has sincere, Duchenne Smile (Ekman). Note the partial eyelid closure (absolutely required), the concave up furrows in the lower lids (a near absolute), upward vectors (never laterally) of the cheek muscles, only the upper teeth exposed (never the lower teeth during a smile, but often both upper and lower exposed during sincere laughter) and a relaxed forehead muscles.

See also:

Analysis # 2091: Sincere Smiling and Laughing Reduces Anxiety and Heart Rate, Boosts Immune System and Relieves Pain

Analysis # 1905: Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient

Analysis # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Analysis # 1010: What Makes the Twinkle in Rashida Jones' Eye?

0:37 Johnson says to Braunschmidt, "... maybe we can canoodle before you get into it ...." and less than a half a second later, Astrid's eyebrows shoot upward - almost exclusively her right brow (a microexpression or near microexpression of nonverbal incredulity).

Analysis # 412: New Gingrich is Incredulous

Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Analysis # 335 & 353: Incredulous with Contempt - Amanda Knox Redux

Analysis # 1600: Senator Marco Rubio - Sincerity, Self-directed Incredulity & Humor, Blocking and Appeals for the Vice Presidency

0:40 Johnson (through his earpiece) is learning of his gaffe from his producer with hand wringing (anxiety in this context). At this same moment the good-spirited "Weather Girl" adopts a display of central forehead contraction (CFC) with down-turned mouth corners (Physical or emotional pain for oneself or for another via empathy).

Analysis # 2042: Syrian Government Defector Nawaf al-Fares

Analysis # 2040: Never Trust a One-Sided Smile - Ex-Lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Analysis # 1910: Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

Analysis # 1439: Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll - Devon Davis & April Davis

0:41 Johnson's mouth adopts a mild - moderate fear expression as he looks down to his right (95% of right-handed people look to this quadrant during dramatic moments of negative emotion) and then a slightly prolonged closure of his eyelids (nonverbal signal of emotional processing, embarrassment). "We're not going be canoodling" moment at 0:41 - 0:42, followed by a bilateral palms-down gesture (0:43 - 0:45) indicating authority, dominance and assertiveness (often negatively received, but here of course very context-appropriate).

Analysis # 1709: Peyton Manning's Agent Does Not Fully Believe

Analysis # 1712: Negative Nonverbals and The Recency Effect - President Obama's Campaign Ad "Go"

Analysis # 2053: Strong Signal of Fear-Sadness Anxiety - Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Analysis # 222: Palms Down vs. Palms Up

Analysis # 555: How Facial Expressions Correlate with Palm Position

0:50 Mouth covering (here signally emotional processing, empathy and embarrassment).

Analysis # 21: Surprise + Fear + Empathy

Lots of great body language and laughs. Thanks to Andrew and Astrid.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2031: Tina Fey arriving at Alec Baldwin's Wedding, Fear-Empathy with a (partial) Sincere Smile - Emotional Dissonance

The hilarious, beautiful and talented Tina Fey arrives at her 30 Rock co-star, Alec Baldwin's wedding in the above image. Tina is wearing a great and relatively rarely photographed expression. Ms. Fey's eyes have some of the elements of a true (Duchenne) smile - with well-defined concave-up furrows in her lower eyelids indicating a (partial) contraction of the orbicularis oculi (pars orbitalis) muscles. It is a partial contraction, because the upper lids are not partially closed as well (indeed on her right, her lid is opened wider than a resting state). This probably (and at least partially) has to do with the relatively high adrenaline status we all have when we're being photographed/videoed/televised (even though she's very experienced in such scenarios). Our eyelids open wider when the emotion of fear is present. This body language phenomenon is more pronounced in the upper lids. It is also very possible that a significant portion of this fear is for Alec. She is feeling fear for him. Alec married his yoga instructor, Hilaria Thomas who is 28 while Baldwin is 54.

The fear component is further nonverbally expressed by Ms. Fey's mouth (with the right side being more pronounced) - pulling primarily laterally with her lips stretched thinner. The frontal aspect of her chin is also dynamically wrinkled/dimpled giving appearance that the lower lid is protruding. This chin dimpling along with subtle tension of her neck muscles are also consistent with mild fear. Thus, this variety of "fear" is, of course, not the same as that of threatened bodily harm or another extreme event. But it is a form of fear none the less. It's an empathy-fear mixed with a sincere smile. This is a great example of emotional dissonance - a sincere expression of two opposite and competing emotional tones.

See also:

Analysis # 353: Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Analysis #1010: Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye

Analysis # 1003: Obama's Dropped Jaw Smile

Analysis # 1106: Subtle Fear Display of al-Assad

Analysis # 702: Mouth of Fear, Trying to Smile and Forehead of Pain of Blake Lively

Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Analysis # 1927: Italy's Fans watching Euro 2012 Final - Expressions of Fear

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1191: Aung San Suu Kyi's Sincere but Suppressed Smile

There are many insincere smiles which look, to some or most, sincere. In this image however, we see an example of something of the opposite - a sincere smile, that is partially suppressed and thus to some looks like it is less than sincere. The key is in the eyes and eyelids. 

In order for a smile to be rooted in true joy-happiness, the eyelids must be partially closed - AND IN A VERY PARTICULAR WAY. Mild to moderate anger has partial eyelid closure as well, but the eyelids are closed in a different way. Here, Aung San Suu Kyi demonstrates the highly characteristic, concave-up furrows which MUST BE PRESENT in order for the smile to be sincere. Moreover, these furrows will dynamically deepen as the eyelids partially close as the smile increases ("Crows Feet" will also grow more accentuated with smiling - but most people over 35 have some/a lot of crows feet in the non-smiling, resting state - thus any changes are much more difficult to qualify and quantify. Observing for any eyelid partial closure is much more reliable).

One other change that occurs with a true, felt smile (Ekman) is the skin beneath the eyebrow contracts - pulling the eyebrows slightly downwards during a sincere smile of joy-happiness. This is very difficult to see however, especially since in absolute terms, the amount of movement of this tissue is relatively small. It's more reliable to look for the growth of the lower lid, concave-up crease - deepening simultaneous with the partial lid closure (see above).

See also: Secret # 353: Brad Pitt's Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Typically with a truly sincere smile, the mouth is open with the upper teeth are exposed (and very little if any of the lower teeth) and the cheeks are bunched upward. Although Ms. Suu Kyi's cheeks are certainly quite characteristic of a Duchenne (sincere) smile, her mouth closure is being suppressed at the moment of this image. Taken in total, this is a very sincere smile of joy-happiness.

Aung San Suu Kyi has got a lot to smile about. As a Burmese Opposition politician and General Secretary for the National League for Democracy, she is running for a lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw) seat in Kawhmu Township, Myanmar. Before her release in November 2010, Ms. Suu Kyi was under house arrest for 15 of the previous 21 years. In 1991, Aung San was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She is one of only five people ever having received honorary citizenship from Canada and has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States. Aung San has also received the Rafto Prize, the Jawalharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, as well as the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. 

Good luck Ms. Suu Kyi. Myanmar and the World needs more like you.

See also:  Secret # 391: Hillary Clinton and Aung San Suu Kyi

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