Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3764: Donald Trump's "A Message from the President-Elect" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

One fascinating nonverbal sign is the phenomenon of exaggerated mouth and lip movement. There are few examples more demonstrative of this body language principle than those which regularly are seen on the face of President-Elect of the United States. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Donald Trump's recent statement on his transition and his policy of his first 100 days.

When a person uses exaggerated mouth and lip movements they feel that they are THE DOMINANT person in their current (real-time) interaction group. They view themselves as THE ALPHA - and everyone else is beta. When it's a conversation between that person and one other - the group is only two. When a person is being televised or with an anticipated high-volume internet audience - the group is of course many times larger.

If Donald Trump truly wishes to build rapport and gain influence with those people who may be "giving him a chance" to lead - he should dramatically reduce his exaggerated lip and mouth movement. Maintaining such amplified speaking dynamics will repel the majority of people (all but those whom already agree with him).

Question: What else serves to amplify this nonverbal mouth-lip hyperbole?

Answer: The relative lack of movement of the rest of his face - particularly his forehead (Mr. President-Elect, stop getting Botox treatments on most of your forehead. It makes you less expressive and inhibits your ability to feel empathy - or elicit similar feelings in others). When such an important part of one's face is effectively paralyzed, it helps to contribute to over-action of the lips and mouth.

Moreover, the camera should have been adjusted to a wider angle allowing Mr. Trumps entire upper body - including his arms and hands to be visible. The more we see of a person, the more we tend to like and trust them. If we only see a person's face - this rapport is much more difficult. Indeed, he would do well to consider giving a good share of any of his Oval Office speeches from a standing position (with a thin, minimal lectern). This would tend to project strength, decisiveness and assertiveness - while sitting behind a desk (particularly with no hands or arms visible) projects tentativeness, defensiveness and a lower confidence level.

 See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3761: Mitt Romney meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3759: Nicole Kidman's and Jimmy Fallon's Almost Date Redux 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3741: Bryan Cranston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Weddings and Tears

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3587: The Orlando Mass Shooting, Omar Mateen and Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3574: Selena Gomez's Body Language Reaction to Fans in Montreal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3357: Justin Bieber leaves/walks off the stage in Oslo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3754: Donald Trump, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3265: Donald Trump, Exaggerated Mouth Movements and Narcissistic, Hyper-Alpha Personalities - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

If you contrast these two videos of Donald Trump on David Letterman's Show - other than the obvious aging of both men - one thing should jump out. Note the mouth and lip movements of Mr. Trump. They are much more dramatic in the 2015 video vs. the one from 1987.

Hyperbolic mouth and lip movements are exhibited by those who perceive themselves to be the alpha - superior in some capacity compared to those with whom they're speaking. It's a commonly overlooked signal of arrogance and patronizing emotional mindsets.

Most of the time this condescending nonverbal phenomenon is contextual. For example, if a college professor was speaking to a lecture hall full of freshman - he or she may very well display such dramatic facial movements. Yet an hour later when the same person is speaking to a colleague who is their intellectual equal, this illustrator would be noticeably absent. A further important distinction is seen when a person uses such excessive nonverbals on a long-term basis. Chronic displays of hyperbolic mouth, lips and other facial movements, with rare exception, are reliable signals of narcissistic personality disorder.

Of course some people may say, "That's just the way Mr. Trump speaks. It's idiosyncratic to him." And while this is true for a small subset of people - it's not so for Donald Trump. For not only are his mouth and lip movements exaggerated - but in some cases they are wrong configurations relative to words being spoken (e.g. melodrama). And when we contrast these videos of Mr. Trump taken approximately 28 years apart, although we can see its subtle signs in the earlier video, it's obvious there has been a considerable progression toward these magnified movements.

Not surprisingly, narcissism often grows with wealth.

Most of the time this nonverbal signal is quite subtle (such as in the college professor example cited above). But you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who exhibited these particular mouth, lip, facial exaggerated movements more than Donald Trump.

These two images are from an interview with NBC's Katy Tur on 8 July 2015.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability, Perceived Trustworthiness and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3167: Bruce Jenner's (pre-Caitlyn Jenner) 20/20 Interview, Part II - Confidence, Vulnerability and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2982: Politicians Should Never Do This If They Want To Be Elected - Hillary Clinton's Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3227: Bobby Jindal's, "... I am tanned ..." remark - What does his Body Language tell us? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3210: Matteo Renzi, Christine Lagarde, Barack Obama and Up-Regulating Alpha Emotions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3025: Vladimir Putin, Alpha Hand Signals and "The Claw" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3148: Tidal's (Re)Launch - Jay Z, Kanye West, Deadmau5 & Madonna - Four Different Standing Configurations - Four Different Thought-Emotions 
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3187: Supergirl & Stanislavsky Skill - First Look - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Has the whole World gone super-hero crazy? Apparently. "Supergirl" comes to the small screen this September (CBS) starring Melissa Benoist as Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El aka Kara Danvers. On Tuesday a teaser/first look was released. What follows is a partial body language analysis.

(0:49) Winslow "Winn" Schott (Jeremy Jordan) displaying (left-sided) mouth of fear and neck of fear after he gets politely dissed by Kara Danvers (unbeknownst to him as yet, Supergirl). This very short-lived nonverbal display is known as a microexpression (or here, more accurately a near-microexpression). Jeremy Jordan nails this post-rejection moment and suggests he's, at least here, a Stanislavsky-skilled actor.

(1:17) Asymmetrical or Unilateral Eyebrow &/or Forehead elevation

This display indicates deception - Jimmy (err, ah, James) Olsen he does not believe his own statement. Of course Mehcad Brooks is acting, however - if this were a real-life situation and a person made a statement - and primarily or only one eyebrow and/or side of the forehead elevates - then it indicates a disbelief in their own statement - and thus deception.

(1:52) Kara Danvers/Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) is trying to express significant frustration with regards to her job to her step-sister Alexandra "Alex" Danvers.

While pulling a shirt/sweater/top/jacket down (butt cover) after one stands up is extremely common - and most often subconsciously initiated - it's not done during moments far from emotional baseline. Kara is (supposed to be) considerably frustrated. If Melissa were completely in character (e.g. Stanislavsky-skilled) and truly frustrated, she wouldn't have performed this sweater adjust (or - if this moment were real-life).

(3:10 - 3:12) Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant, projects her character's hyper-alpha, arrogant and narcissistic qualities with high nonverbal nuance in this short video teaser. One example is having her arms spread widely on her desk. Her right hand is amplifying these emotions even further by its placement in a palm-down configuration.




See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2586: Harrison Ford in "Ender's Game" - Microexpression and Macroexpression of Regret - Harrison's Brand and the Stanislavski Method

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3149: Edward Snowden on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Government Surveillance (HBO) - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2306:  George W. Bush trapped in Room -  Body Language's Microexpression of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2791: Sofia Vergara, Threesomes and Fear - Body Language & the Fading Gigolo


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Since the funeral of Freddie Gray, much has yet to be publicly learned about the circumstances surrounding his spinal injury which lead to his death. Rioting in Baltimore was significant yesterday and extended into the early hours of the morning. The above video clip contains several different segments - one of these is a portion of a press conference featuring Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez on 20 April 2015. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

1:21

Microexpression of Contempt

during the spoken word "... physical ..."

1:23

Exaggerated mouth, lip and jaw movements - e.g. above and beyond baseline behavior.

This is highly consistent with alpha personalities and others in alpha emotional settings when they're trying to project authority and assertiveness.

Although not extreme in this short video segment, exaggerated mouth, lip a jaw movements does not build rapport - rather it destroys rapport. This nonverbal behavior is consistent with a patronizing emotional tone and does not engender or project trust.

1:26

A second microexpression of contempt with a component of disgust during the spoken word "... autopsy ..."

This display of contempt is more pronounced compared with that exampled above (at 1:21).

Multiple and prolonged blinking (e.g., increasing blink frequency) that occurs in association with the statement, "... none of his limbs [extended pause] were broken ..."

1:31

Inward Lip Roll (ILR)

An inward lip roll is seen in response to the psyche attempting to suppress a crescendo of both an inward (internal) emotional build-up as well as minimizing an outward emotional expression.






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3168: Connor McDavid on 2015 NHL Draft Lottery Day - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3024: Officer Darren Wilson's Interview - Does He Feel Remorse For Killing Michael Brown?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2920: Barack Obama, Michael Brown and Ferguson Police - Recognizing Subtle Alpha Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2924: Michael Brown, Captain Ron Johnson, Church Rally and Ferguson, Missouri

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2999: Chris Christie to James Keady "Sit Down and Shut Up" - Body Language Congruent with ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2982: Politicians Should Never Do This If They Want To Be Elected - Hillary Clinton's Body Language Faux Pas  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3003: Chris Brown - Using Body Language Signs to Predict Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3162: Robert Downey Jr. walks out of Interview - Star walks out when asked about past

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2801: Adam Silver Bans Donald Sterling for Life - Alpha Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today Adam Silver banned Donald Sterling for life from the NBA. He is not permitted to attend a game or a practice - or to make any decisions about the Los Angeles Clippers for the rest of his life. The NBA Commissioner also fined Sterling the maximum amount possible - $2.5 Million. In addition, Silver is seeking three quarters or greater consensus from the NBA owners in an effort to force Sterling to sell the basketball team.

There are many nonverbal signs in the video above of Mr. Silver's press conference. However there is one exemplified here that is rarely noted. Throughout this video (highlighted in three isolated images below) - Mr. Silver's mouth, lips and jaw display exaggerated movements. While there is certainly variation in such movements between any two people of the same culture speaking the same words - Mr. Silver's are amplified. It is not simply because he is trying to speak louder. This is a signal of an alpha emotional tone. People who display this body language/facial expression view themselves as dominant and are in the midst of asserting it.

In contrast, if Mr. Silver were in the company of the heads-of-state and other World leaders, his mouth, jaw and lips would never be moving in this manner.

Although not the case here, an even further exaggeration of these movements during speech is indicative of a patronizing and condescending mindset - and will very readily transmit such feelings.

There are also multiple examples of Mr. Silver thrusting his jaw forward - in what is known as a "Jaw Jut". This is a highly reliable signal of anger.

A Jaw Jut at 0:51 mark as Silver says "... deeply..." signifying the NBA commissioner's sincere anger.

1:16 mark as Silver speaks an exaggerated "....multi-ethnic..."


Mild Jaw Jut

More dramatic movements as Silver says "... within ..." at 1:27

More Jaw Jut (mild-moderate)









What other body language did you see during this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2460:  Third Year Law Student-Intern Channa Lloyd African-American on Zimmerman's Legal Team An Under-appreciated Alpha Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2367:  North Korea, Jay Carney and  Body Language Tells from the White House Press Room

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2798: Donald Sterling, Prejudice and Body Language of Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2792: The First Woman to Run The Boston Marathon - Katherine Switzer and an Assault Warning Sign - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2799: Magic Johnson Comments Regarding L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Alleged Racist Remarks - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2800: Richard Gere Plays a Homeless Man and a Caring Parisian Gives Him Food - Body Language of Sincerity and Empathy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2460: Third Year Law Student-Intern Channa LloydAfrican-American on Zimmerman's Legal TeamAn Under-appreciated Alpha Body Language Signal (Video, Photo)

Channa Lloyd, a third year law student who is interning with the Zimmerman's legal team, has been garnering a lot of attention of late. She is the only African-American amidst an otherwise all Caucasian team of attorneys.

The reason this video is included here though, is that Ms. Lloyd repeatedly displays a nonverbal signal which is particularly under-appreciated. When a person's mouth and lips move in an exaggerated fashion, it is a signal that they feel they're a relative alpha in that setting & context. Here Lloyd subconsciously shows her confidence in this fashion. While everyone moves their lips and mouth slightly differently, these movements are exaggerated and often can be described as melodramatic. The image below, captured at the 0:32 mark, just as Ms. Lloyd says the word, "...client...", is a good example of this phenomenon. Lower lips do not have to be extended anywhere near this amount to pronounce this word.

Although not present in this example, as with all alpha signals, if over-done (in frequency or amplitude) this mouth-lip alpha sign will project patronizing and condescending attitudes.

If Ms. Lloyd were in a different settings - where she was speaking with a peer or subordinate - her mouth or lip movement would be much less pronounced.

You may ask yourself why a third year law student considers herself an alpha in a case of such national attention in which she plays an apparently minor role? One dramatic reason for this is told in another body language signal seen elsewhere in the video. Did you spot it?

Do you see any nonverbal signals indicating whether or not Ms. Lloyd is sincere when she answers, "No" to the question, "Is he (Zimmerman) a racist?" (2:16 mark).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2444:  George Zimmerman Trial  Jonathan Good - Eyewitness Testifies regarding  The Last Seconds of Trayvon Martin's Life

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2411:  Zimmerman's Attorney, Mark O'Mara's -  Body Language Faux Pas in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1897:  George Zimmerman's Reenactment of  Trayvon Martin Shooting

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

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1697:  George Zimmerman in Shackles - How does this Alter His Body Language, Testimony and Our Perception? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1548:  Trayvon Martin's Death -  George Zimmerman and his First Court Appearance 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456:  Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband -  Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

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