Body Language Analysis No. 4388: Donald Trump regarding Drowned Father and Daughter in the Rio Grande - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his toddler daughter, Angie Valeri drowned last week while trying to cross the Rio Grande River. Óscar and his family had journeyed from El Salvador - escaping violence and seeking refuge.

A photograph of Óscar and Valeria, side-by-side, her arm draped around his neck tragically humanizes the Central American diaspora. It reminds many of an iconic image of Aylan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian refugee, whose body washed up on Turkey's shores, near Bodrum, in 2015.

On 26 June 2019, President Trump was asked about their drowning and any possible ramifications this may have on his immigration policy. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this exchange.

During 0:03, just after he says, "Yeah" (and just after the journalist begins his question, "Does the photo of the drowned immigrants cause you -"), Donald Trump displays a Tight Tongue Jut. A Tight Tongue Jut is a nonverbal sign of the thought-emotion of:

• Disgust
• Disdain
• Repulsion

(Take care not to mistake a Tight Tongue Jut for a Loose Tongue Jut or a Wide Open Tongue Jut)

Notice Trump's verbal language, "if they fixed the laws, you wouldn't have that". The word "they", in this context, is an example of distancing and misdirecting language - it's a form of paralanguage camouflage. Of course, the President is a component of "they".

Notice Trump's use of the word, "rapidity" to describe the flow rate of the river. A president is, of course, not expected to be a potamologist, however, the word "rapidity" is not a word most educated people commonly use to describe a river's rate of flow. And, while we all occasionally stumble for words, the President is doing so with increasing frequency. Note his use of the word "thee" (with a long e) just prior to the word, "rapidity". This vocal variation ("thee" rather than "the") is a common subconscious/edge-of-consciousness paralanguage stalling technique (along with the accompanying pause) often employed while searching for words. For a similar reason - that of scrambling/searching for a plausible explanation - use of "thee" is also associated with deception.

During 0:29, Trump's hand-arm illustrator is incongruent with his the gesture of "go(ing) through", "But people go through the guards"). Notice also his vocal emphasis on the word "through". This nonverbal-verbal-paralanguage disparity is an indication that Trump does not believe what he's saying. His anxiety-driven over-compensatory behavior is reminiscent of a hocus-pocus/Wizard of Oz - pay no attention to the man behind the curtain type of moment.

He displays a nearly identical gesture in a similar context later, during 1:04 - 1:06, as he says, "because that journey across that river" (Additionally, the word "journey" was also out of context here - yes, Óscar and his family were on a long journey, but a river crossing (aka a fording) is not a journey). 

Trump contracts his right index finger, just as he says, "If we had the right laws that - the Democrats are not letting us have", when only a second before - that finger had been extended (0:31). ( "If we had the right laws that - the Democrats are not letting us have - those people, they wouldn't be coming up - they wouldn't be trying"). This sudden finger dynamic tells us the President completely lacks confidence in what he has just said. As he retracts the most dominant digit of his dominant hand, he's attempting to deceive us.

Trump displays a hyper-alpha hand chop as he says, "wall" ("We're building the wall..."). This is one possible dominant gesture we would have expected him to use earlier, when he said, "But people go through the guards".

During 0:41, as he says, "lot" ("it's [sic] a lot of it is under construction"), Trump he torques his head (a sudden rotation combined with a tilt). In this context, it's accurately described as a Head-Fake. For while such a head torque is frequently a sign of emphasis and conviction - Trump quite often and deliberately uses it as a ruse. Note that he's simultaneously raising a single eyebrow - his left - projecting his disbelief at his own statement. This eyebrow dynamic is subconscious. Whenever conscious and subconscious nonverbals are used together - it's the subconscious ones which tell the true thought-emotions.

It's also profoundly important here - that Trump does not use his hands or arms to illustrate his verbal statements during this sub-segment. This sudden disappearance of his hands is another profound signal of his lack of conviction and honesty.

During 0:56, Trump bends significantly forward (at his waist) as his arms and hands rock forward in palm out-and-down configuration. This dynamic is a nonverbal metaphor - symbolic for pushing Óscar (the father) away.

Notice how the President not only grows louder as he says, "father", but he also verbally stretches-out the word. This is analogous to someone shouting in English to another person who only understands Spanish - Trump's nonverbal-verbal-paralanguage display is over-compensatory. Because he has a complete absence of empathy, he bends forward, shouts, and stretches the word. This is not a feigning of empathy - rather it's a short-circuit manifestation/behavior of a person who is NOT experiencing empathy. 

To a somewhat lesser extent, he repeats the same nonverbal, verbal, and paralanguage behavior - during 1:01, as he says, "Daughter".

The President performs a similar nonverbal display, earlier in this video, during 0:33 - 0:35, when he says, "Democrats are not letting us have".

Another manifestation of Trump's complete lack of empathy - is demonstrated by his distancing language of "father" and "his daughter" - rather than humanizing them by using their names: Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez - and Angie Valeria.
 

As he says "probably was this wonderful guy", Trump displays two consecutive unilateral eyebrow raises ("probably" [0:58] and "wonderful" [0:59]) - on his left side - each indicating Trump does not believe his own words. He also shakes his head, in a side-to-side, "No" motion. Whenever the nonverbal language contradicts the verbal language - it's the nonverbal which tells the truth.

Yet another left eyebrow raise is displayed again as Trump says, "happen" ("Things like that wouldn't happen", 1:03).

During 1:19 - 1:21, after he says "people drowning in the rivers" ("open borders mean crime and open borders mean people drowning in the rivers"), Trump uses a variation of a Finger-Point-Hand-Chop. A finger-point-hand-chop is correlated with Hyperbolic Defensiveness and Deception.

SUMMARY: Based on his nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage behavior used during this exchange, at no time, did President Trump display any empathy regarding the recent Rio Grande River drowning deaths of Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his young daughter, Angie Valeria.

An empathy expression requires a corners down-turned sadden mouth configuration together with an elevated central forehead.

The President also repeatedly lied during this video.

Contrary to his words, the President does NOT at all believe that Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez was, "probably was this wonderful guy". Moreover, Donald Trump is repulsed, disgusted by, and feels disdain toward the people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Donald Trump does NOT believe that that "open borders mean crime" or that "open borders mean people drowning in the rivers".

The President does NOT believe that if the Democrats passed his proposed border/immigration legislation, that it would prevent mass immigration from Central America. 

President Trump is increasingly misunderstanding words and using terminology out of context. These are but two of his many symptoms strongly suggesting he has progressive dementia.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4387: Donald Trump Welcomes Foreign Interference in US Elections


Body Language Analysis No. 4386: Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump in Churchill's War Room

Body Language Analysis No. 4385: William Barr Testimony - Part II - Senate Judiciary Committee - 1 May 2019

Body Language Analysis No. 4384: William Barr's Testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1 May 2019 - Part I

Body Language Analysis No. 4382: Why is Donald Trump Leaning Forward?

Body Language Analysis No. 4381: Trump 'jokes' about staying in office for "at least for 10 or 14 years"

Body Language Analysis No. 4380: Tiger Woods Wins his first Masters in 14 years

Body Language Analysis No. 4360: GE's CEO Larry Culp's CNBC Interview and Subsequent Stock Sell-off

Body Language Analysis No. 4332: Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, and The Kitchen Debate

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Body Language Analysis No. 4376: Jacinda Ardern and Donald Trump - a Study in Contrasts - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This photo of Jacinda Ardern was taken in the immediate aftermath of the 15 March 2019 mass shooting at two Mosques in Christchurch. Since the tragedy, there have been thousands of images of the New Zealand Prime minister displaying this same classic expression of empathy-grief:

• Elevated Central Forehead Contraction
• Inner (medial) Eyebrows Upturned
• Upper Eyelids Slightly Closed
• Nostrils Slightly Flared
• Slight Lip Protrusion
• Down-turned Mouth Corners

Any person feeling sincere empathy will, to some degree, display this expression.

This image of Ronald Reagan was taken during his 28 January 1986 address to the nation regarding the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. Note Reagan's face shares all the above-described components of Prime Minister Ardern's expression.



In contrast, this video of President Trump was recorded just a few hours after the Christchurch mass shooting. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

JOURNALIST (beginning at 25:28): Do you see today - do you see today the White Nationalists as a rising threat around the World?

DONALD TRUMP: I don't really - I think it's a - ah small group of people that have very, very serious problems I guess. If you look at what happened in New Zealand - perhaps that's a case - I don't know enough about it yet - they're just learning about the person - and the people involved. Ah, but it's certainly a terrible thing, a terrible thing. Yes? 

Just after the journalist says, "White Nationalists" - and as he says, "rising threat around the" the President Nods his head in an Up-and-Down (two cycles) in the Affirmative.

Immediately afterward, he shakes his head side-to-side in a denial illustrator (one cycle) as he says, "I don't really".

He also looks away from the journalist as he answers - with an Exaggerated Mouth Movement as he says, "really". Moreover, his verbal emphasis on the word "really" rather than the word "don't" is crucial. The world "really", in this context, is a qualifier. Its use here, as well the accompanying nonverbal and vocal qualities - both connote Trump's hedging, watered-down, and non-definitive answer.

Notice also, Trump's other verbal hedges, "small group of people", "I guess", "perhaps", "I don't know enough about it," "yet", "they're just learning".

A few seconds later, as he says, "I guess", Trump Shrugs his Shoulders, here signifying:

• I don't know
• I don't care
• What does it matter?
• What could I do about it?

When he calls on another journalist - as the President is saying, "Yes?" - he displays what is known as a Lip Curl. A lip curl projects the hyper-alpha emotions of:

• Hubris
• False Bravado
• Hyperbole
• Braggadocio
• Sarcasm

In this context, a lip curl display is chilling - for the emotions displayed in this moment are completely opposite that of a healthy response. He's not even projecting neutral emotions here - he's enjoying a moment of swagger. 

It's also of profound importance to note, that at no time during this Oval Office video, did Donald Trump display a facial expression indicative of empathy or grief for the victims or the families of the Christchurch mass shooting (as Jacinda Ardern continues to exhibit - and as Ronald Reagan did regarding the Challenger disaster).


SUMMARY: President Trump's nonverbal behavior contradict his words. He's devoid of both empathy and grief - not only for the victims and family members of the recent mass shooting in New Zealand - but, astoundingly, he's never displayed either emotion since he announced his candidacy in June of 2015.

In addition, Donald Trump's nonverbal behavior indicates he's fully aware of the rise of White Nationalism - and his link to it - as a motivation for some terrorist attacks.

Grieving is absolutely necessary for healing. Prime Minister Ardern's grieving (as did Ronald Reagan's) gives a momentary and historical personification for our collective grieving. And it's in these moments when our grief is shared that perhaps we're most human.

Empathy, by definition, is never conveyed by words alone. Empathy must be felt and must be displayed. An absence of empathy in a leader creates a vacuum - and causes a down-regulation of empathy, en masse.

Media Inquires and Group Appearances 

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4375: Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Security Clearances

Body Language Analysis No. 4374: Nancy Pelosi's Clap-Back to Donald Trump during the 2019 SOTU

Body Language Analysis No. 4373: Matthew Whitaker's Press Conference regarding Robert Mueller's Investigation

Body Language Analysis No. 4371: "Mr. President ... have you ever worked for Russia? Yes or no?"

Body Language Analysis No. 4370: Donald Trump, Fist-Pumping, and Vladimir Putin at 2017 G20

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

Body Language Analysis No. 4360: GE's CEO Larry Culp's CNBC Interview and Subsequent Stock Sell-off

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

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Body Language Analysis No. 4355: Comparing Donald Trump and the Tree of Life Synagogue to Ronald Reagan and the Challenger Disaster - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

There's one crucial expression Donald Trump never once displayed during any of his statements regarding the recent mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

It's certainly an expression he should have made - for it's indicative of the emotions of sadness, grief - and importantly, the empathy one feels for other peoples' suffering. This is true regardless of whether their suffering is emotional, physical, or both.

First, look carefully at the image below. On the evening of 28 January 1986, Ronald Reagan gave a speech regarding the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster (the video of the entire speech is included at the bottom of this article).

Note that the muscles of President Reagan's central forehead are contracted and vectored upward (an elevated central forehead contraction [CFC]). Simultaneously, his medial (inner) eyebrows are also elevated - while at the same time, his outer (lateral) eyebrows are lowered. The corners of his mouth are also down-turned. 

Regardless of your political affiliation, if you were watching President Reagan's speech that night, you had no doubt Ronald Reagan was truly grieving for the families and loved-ones of those seven Astronauts. It's also not surprising (to those with modest or high empathy quotients) that just by looking at a picture or video of another person who is sad, suffering, or grieving (without even knowing any specifics) - will engender those same emotions in the viewer.

Grieving is absolutely necessary for healing. When a leader grieves, they give both a momentary and historical personification to our collective grieving. It's in these moments when our grief is shared that perhaps we're most human.



SUMMARY: Donald Trump has never displayed any expression indicative of empathy, sadness, or grieving - associated with the deaths of eleven people and wounding of six others at recent Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooting. Nor did the President display these expressions after the Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting, the Charlottesville Riots and the death there of Heather Heyer, the Texas First Baptist Church massacre, the Las Vegas mass shooting, or any other national tragedy.

Empathy, by definition, is never conveyed via a simple reading of a prepared statement. Empathy must be felt and must be displayed. Donald Trump has yet to publicly display any expressions of empathy, sadness, or grieving since he announced his candidacy on 16 June 2015.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4354: Mass Shooter at Pittsburgh Synagogue - Threat Assessment

Body Language Analysis No. 4352: Donald Trump, Mohammed bin Salman, and Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Body Language Analysis No. 4350: Ashley Kavanaugh during Brett Kavanaugh's Swearing-in Ceremonies for the Supreme Court

Body Language Analysis No. 4348: Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4346: Brett Kavanaugh's Fox News Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4333: Ivanka Trump's response to Robert Mueller and Trump Tower Meeting

Body Language Analysis No. 4308: DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's most Telling Expression

Body Language Analysis No. 4289: A Royal Wedding, Suppression of Tears, and Meghan Markle's Mom

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Body Language Analysis No. 4343: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Anxiety, and Empathy - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (Video, Photos)

Idris Elba is by most all accounts, an excellent actor. But despite many accolades and awards, Idris, is of course, only human. During his recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, he experienced a very human moment - and displayed a classic nonverbal tell.

Just after Graham Norton says, "... a-, but we have to say, it was a-, your American accent has not always been - that good."

As Idris says, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm", he sucks his cheeks inward (1:06). Often times this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) involves biting the insides of one's cheeks with a mild-to-moderate degree of force. This cheek-biting indicates significant anxiety.

It's important to note that this dynamic of biting the inner cheeks has the effect of pursing the lips forward - but this is a secondary effect - and does not carry the same meaning of a primary forward lip purse. Be careful not to mistake the two expressions.

A second later, his central forehead is contracted and elevated (along with his inner eyebrows). Mr. Elba's central face has grown tense. His nostrils are flared. Simultaneous with his inner cheek biting, Idris' lips take on an additional slightly sad configuration.

Kate Winslet then displays a bilateral full palm-of-hand (full palmar) contact with her upper sternum/heart region as well as her lower sternum as she says, "My insides ...".

Her nonverbal signal indicates both elevated empathy and high sincerity.

As she finishes her sentence, "... are constricting for you right now", Ms. Winslet, also physically constricts her fists.

SUMMARY: Despite being outstanding actors, when Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are not in-character (and just being themselves), their body language gives us glimpses into their psyches.

Idris Elba was experiencing significant anxiety which elicited similar feelings in Kate Winslet. Ms. Winslet displays considerable empathy and sincerity toward Mr. Elba.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:


Body Language Analysis No. 4342: Alleged Jacksonville Shooter David Katz

Body Language Analysis No. 4341: Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hush Money

Body Language Analysis No. 4339: Pre-Confession Interview of Murderer, Chris Watts

Body Language Analysis No. 4337: Donald Trump regarding Omarosa, "Lowlife. She's a lowlife"

Body Language Analysis No. 4335: Donald Trump Jr. Interview Six weeks after Trump Tower Meeting

Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

Body Language Analysis No. 4276: Waffle House Hero James Shaw Jr. Meets His NBA Idol Dwyane Wade

Body Language Analysis No. 4078: Toddler Steals Prince Harry's Popcorn

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Body Language Analysis No. 4321: Donald Trump and The Queen - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

On Friday, Donald Trump visited briefly with Queen Elizabeth II. Royal protocol dictates that you should never walk in front of the Queen - nor should you ever turn your back to her. The American President managed to do both - after he had kept her waiting for fifteen minutes.

It may seem obvious to most people that etiquette is profoundly important when one visits royalty. And the next time you drop by Windsor Castle, you'd be would be well-advised to practice and prepare. However, when you forget the proper protocol - it's always wise to let empathy direct your actions. That's assuming, of course, that you have empathy. After all, the Queen is 92 years old, was walking on uneven ground - and, theoretically, another leader should be trying to build rapport - not insulting her.

Now, occasionally, even well-mannered, empathetic people will be caught up in anxiety or distractions and walk in front of their wife, husband, or significant other. However, when this becomes a pattern - when a person consistently walks in front of their partner - it's a behavior that's strongly correlated with narcissistic personality disorder.

In addition, when a man routinely walks in front of his girlfriend or wife - it's a strong sign of objectification. This is a man who thinks of her as something to be used - as property, rather than an equal.

Moreover, men who physically or emotionally abuse their partners will routinely walk in front - rather than at their sides.

SUMMARY: If one wasn't familiar with Donald Trump, they might conclude that his act of walking in front of Queen Elizabeth II as well as turning his back on her - was due to him being unfamiliar with Royal protocol, having a bad day, or just simple rudeness. President Trump, however, demonstrates a long-term pattern of this behavior with all his wives and other women. Such frequency is highly correlative with Narcissistic Personality Disorder - which, of course, includes his absence of empathy.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:


Body Language Analysis No. 4320: Peter Strzok's Congressional Hearing

Body Language Analysis No. 4319: Jim Jordan Fox Interview - regarding Allegations of Ignoring Complaints of Sexual Abuse at Ohio State - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4317: Scott Pruitt Confronted in Restaurant by Kristin Mink

Body Language Analysis No. 4271: Donald Trump's Hand Holding While Pulling of Emmanuel Macron

Body Language Analysis No. 4315: Rep. Jim Jordan grills Rod Rosenstein at DOJ hearing

Body Language Analysis No. 4090: Harvey Weinstein, Sexual Assault, and Impulse Control Disorder

Body Language Analysis No. 4088: Kit Harington's April Fools' Prank on Rose Leslie

Body Language Analysis No. 4071: Fans' Reaction to Trauma - Young Girl Hit By Foul Ball at Yankee Stadium

Body Language Analysis No. 4008: Veteran Who Survived Dunkirk Reacts to Film

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Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Photo credits: John Moore

When you first saw this now anti-iconic photo (above and the close-up below), what was your first thought?

Well, this is a bit of a trick question, because your first reaction should NOT have been to think about this image first - rather you should have felt it first. This would indicate you have substantial Emotional Empathy.

So long as our emotional empathy is developed - when we see another person in pain - whether it be emotional pain or physical pain, we should "feel them" first. And we should naturally, and reflexively feel their pain - without thinking. We empathize. We experience similar emotions.

(In the next moment, if you have a developed sense of Compassionate Empathy - you would then think about what you could do to help - and then act upon it.)

When we're in such a state of emotional empathy, particularly initially - we will mirror the facial expressions of those with whom we're empathizing.

Although we can primarily visualize the right side of her face and only portions of her mid-line and left face, we can still clearly discern that this two-year-old's:

• Central forehead is contracted and elevated

• Her eyebrows are simultaneously depressed in all but the medial (inner) portions

• Her upper eyelids are open widely - while her lower eyelids are tightened

• Her nostrils are flared

• Her mid-face is significantly tightened

• Her neck muscles (platysma) is tightened 

• Her lips are stretched thin as her mouth corners are being pulled laterally and down

• With a simultaneous exposing of her lower teeth during in a jaw drop

• Whilst crying and screaming

SUMMARY: It's no mystery to most people who view these images, that this little girl is in an emotional state of deep anguish and fear.

Yet there is still a mystery here - for why, upon looking at these and similar photos - does a substantial percentage of the general population still not experience any (or very little) emotional empathy? The answer is multifactorial. In a very basic sense, emotional empathy deficits can be divided up into genetic and environmental causes - both nature and nurture.

"If you only have 'empathy' for people who are in your group/tribe/same color skin/same religion/same country - you can stop deluding yourself. That's not empathy - it's just an extension of your ego."

Piper Anne Twain

Media Inquiries and Keynote Appearances 

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4308: DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's most Telling Expression

Body Language Analysis No. 4306: Donald Trump, a North Korean General, and a Salute

Body Language Analysis No. 4304: Donald Trump's and Kim Jong-un's Handshake in Singapore

Body Language Analysis No. 4302: G7 Leaders Surrounding Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4284: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2, and Alpha Up-Regulation

Body Language Analysis No. 4278: Jaws - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat" - vs. A Real Shark Encounter on a Paddleboard

Body Language Analysis No. 4255: Roger Stone and Julian Assange

Body Language Analysis No. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4159: Nikki Haley, Jerusalem, and the United Nations

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Body Language Analysis No. 4261: President Trump's Address regarding the Retaliatory Strike on Syria - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On 14 April 2018, the United States, United Kingdom, and France carried out a coordinated retaliatory military air strike against the Syrian government. This act was in response to the chemical weapons attack the Syrian forces perpetrated upon their own people on 7 April 2018 in Douma. The Syrian government has denied they carried out this mass-poisoning and have called the retaliation a violation of international law.

Shortly after the retaliatory attack, Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House. A video of this speech is included above. What follows is a nonverbal and paralanguage analysis of one crucial segment of his address. 


PRESIDENT TRUMP (continuing at 6:38): ... We saw the anguish that can be unleashed and the evil that can take hold.  By the end of World War - One - more than one million people had been killed or injured by chemical weapons. We never want to see that ghastly specter return... 

During 6:47, just as he's finishing saying the word, "... War ..." the President:

• Contracts and Elevates his Central Forehead Muscles
• His mouth hyper-gesticulates
• Crucially, his mouth does NOT take on a saddened configuration
• Tilts his head/neck to his right
• Raises his right shoulder

When a sincere person is feeling emotional or physical pain for her/himself - or experiencing these feelings for another person/group of people via empathy - their:

• Central Forehead Contracts & Elevates
• Mouth takes on a sad, scared, or painful configuration

The elevated central forehead contraction (an elevated CFC, not the entire width of the forehead - but just the central [medial] portion) is a monumentally important nonverbal display - which the vast majority people don't nuance. This includes those individuals who constantly attempt to feign empathy - and this is exactly what the President is doing here. Although we certainly don't welcome their bad behavior, we should be thankful for their poor acting skills - for it allows us to suss out the insincere people from the sincere ones.

A split-second later (still during 6:47), as the President says, "... One ...", he shrugs with his:

• Shoulders
• Hands
• Eyebrows
• Forehead

• He also Rapidly torques his head 

§ Note: Although Donald Trump's forehead is moderately treated with Botox, we are still able to see these important contractions/dynamics. 

A shrug indicates the thought-emotion of:

• I don't know
• I don't care
• What does it matter?

A shoulder shrug (or any of the lesser-appreciated shrugs) are COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT HERE. Why would a person be thinking-feeling such emotions when talking about the issue of deaths in chemical warfare? In waging war? If one is operating from the foundation and premise of empathy - there is NO REASON.

Another excellent insincerity tell is exhibited in this same moment from a Paralanguage/Statement Analysis perspective:

• The hyperbolic emphasis of the word "One" (both in tone and in volume).

Why is this word emphasized? Always remember: When the less important words of a sentence are emphasized - while the some of the more important ones are monotone/homogenized -  it's a monumentally classic signal of insincerity.

Additionally - when you observe both nonverbal signals of insincerity simultaneous with paralanguage flags of insincerity - you can be 100% certain that the person's thoughts and feelings are not congruent with their words. They are lying. They have other agenda. Protect your flank.

Summary: President Trump was insincere during this address. He was feigning empathy. He's parroting this emotion. He's character acting. It's one thing to be insincere passively - it's more nefarious to actively fake it.

While you may or may not agree with President Trump's decision (or the UK's or France's) to retaliate against Syria (or the precise manner/timing of their retaliation) - that is not what this analysis is discussing. I'm here to analyze and teach nonverbal behavior.

What many people do NOT understand, is when the central forehead is contracted and elevated - but the mouth is not simultaneously sad, scared, or expressing pain - the person is experiencing a completely different set of emotions (e.g., CFC with Sad/Scared/Painful Mouth vs. CFC with other types of mouth expressions). While this may sound like geeky-detail - it's one of the most important nonverbal distinctions you'll ever learn. It will save you time, money, hassle, a bad marriage, and maybe your life.

Commit yourself right now - to collecting images/screen-grabs and their corresponding URLs of these two expression variations. Study them and refer to them often. And whenever you see these displayed by others in your own, real-life experiences - take detailed mental notes.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4260: James Comey on Good Morning America re: Trump, Russia, and the Steele Dossier

Body Language Analysis No. 4258: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' reaction to the question: "Has the President at Any Time thought about Stepping Down?"

Body Language Analysis No. 4256: President Trump's Reaction to FBI Raid on Michael Cohen

Body Language Analysis No. 4254: Tony Robbins, Nanine McCool, and the #MeToo Movement

Body Language Analysis No. 4242: Cambridge Analytica, Alexander Nix, and Deception (Part II)

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail

Body Language Analysis No. 4166: Logan Paul's Apology

Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons

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Body Language Analysis No. 4224: Greta Gerwig's reaction to Guillermo del Toro's Best Picture Oscar Speech - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Note: The original video has, since the original post, been removed from its online source. The image below however, was captured from that video.


Greta Gerwig is only the fifth woman in history to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director. Many thought her film, Lady Bird, was also a sure bet to win Best Picture. Yet Guillermo del Toro and The Shape of Water won both awards.


From a nonverbal point of view, Greta Gerwig's reaction to Mr. del Toro during his speech is an excellent body language teaching moment.

During 1:53, just as Greta says (reading her lips), "I love him" - just before and during the first portion of the word, "love" - her central forehead momentarily contracts and elevates. It's crucial to emphasize that this forehead elevation involves just the central portion and not the entire width of her forehead. 

Her inner (medial) eyebrows also elevate.

Simultaneously, Ms. Gerwig's right palm is in full contact with her sternum as her fingers extend over the left side of her upper chest. This hand placement is, of course, over the heart. The fact that Greta is right-hand dominant is also an important detail.

Her hand positioning of:

• her Dominant Hand
• with Full Palmar Contact with her Chest
• Held over Heart

in addition to her:

• Central Forehead/Medial Eyebrow Contraction and Elevation
• Just before and as she begins to say the word, "Love"

is a nonverbal-verbal cluster indicating a very high degree of both empathy and sincerity.

Summary: Greta Gerwig's nonverbal display during Guillermo del Toro's acceptance speech is classic - and reliable body language behavior demonstrating both her high sincerity and elevated empathy quotients.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4223: Donald Trump to Republican Senator, "You're Afraid of the NRA"

Body Language and Medical Analysis No. 4221: Why are Donald Trump's Pupils Intermittently So Large?

Body Language Analysis No. 3399 (REPOSTING): Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle, and Fear

Body Language Analysis No. 4218: Dana Loesch, Threat Assessment, and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4202: Saoirse Ronan, Ed Sheeran, and Galway Girl (Galway Grill)

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail

Body Language Analysis No. 4181: Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, "Verbal Sexual" Harassment, and NBC

Body Language Analysis No. 4158: Michelle Williams regarding Kevin Spacey - "All the Money in the World"

Body Language Analysis No. 4093: Fear and Harvey Weinstein - Emma Watson's Reaction


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