Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3631: Donald Trump's Acceptance Speech at the GOP Convention - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Last night Donald Trump accepted his party's nomination as the 2016 Republican candidate for President. He gave a long speech (73 minutes) and there are thousands of body language signals to evaluate, however three in particular are analyzed here.

Beginning at 0:01 Trump says, "America is far less safe - and the World is far less stable, then when Obama made the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of America's foreign policy. Let's defeat her in November, 'K? [Tight Forward Lip Purse, Whole Body Turn Left, Lapel Pull] I am certain - that it was a decision that President Obama truly regrets ..."

During 0:50 we see Donald Trump configure his mouth and lips in what is termed a "Forward Lip Purse". This is an indication of a clandestine plan and/or a clandestine disagreement. It is displayed only by a person who perceives himself to be an alpha relative to the people with whom he is speaking/interacting. Moreover it also signals that he believes he has a relatively good chance of implementing and succeeding in his plan.

During 0:50.8 - 0:53, Trump rotates to his left and then back forward again.

 The Republican Candidate then pulls forward his lapels in a false straightening gesture (0:54 - 0:55). This is an example of a hyper-alpha body language maneuver. It has the same emotional tone as if he were patting himself on the back, flexing his muscles in the mirror and marking his territory - all at the same time. This is a truncated version of our distant cousins - a dominance display of a silver back gorilla pounding on his chest. It's a wonderful example of how nonverbal behavior is so deeply rooted in our brains (yes, all of us - both republicans and democrats).

The earlier tight forward lip purse, the brief sideways turn and the lapel pull are all clustered together - grouped, congruent and reinforcing.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3630: Ted Cruz Refuses to Endorse Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3628: Donald & Melania Trump's interview with Matt Lauer Prior to Her Speech at Republican Convention

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3621: Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3385: Adele, "Hello" and SNL - Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3436: Is Hillary Clinton Intimidated by Donald Trump?


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3503: John Kasich interview regarding Republican Convention - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

John Kasich was a guest today on CNN's State of the Union. At 3:40 in the video above, Ms. Dana Bash asks [over-talking], "So just to, just to put a button on this, ah Governor, there are no conversations, you're not interested in any conversations to coordinate with Ted Cruz since there's only three people in the race to try to keep the guy who's got -

Kasich: [over-talking] Look ...

Bash: ... by far the most delegates - Donald Trump, from getting even more?" 

This image was captured during 3:51. From 3:48 through 3:52, Kasich extends his torso backward to his left, moves laterally (back and forth), as he says, "Look" - and then resumes his more straightened, relatively still posture.

This (backward) torso extension (with or without the additional side-to-side movement) is a nonverbal signal highly indicative of frustration.

At 3:53, before Governor Kasich answers Ms. Bash, we see him display the cluster of: thinned, horizontally configured lips (particularly his upper lip), a clenched jaw, a dimpled chin, protruding lower lip, flared nostrils, lower eyelid tension, tension in mustache area, cheek dimpling - a nonverbal combination which indicates an amalgam of anger, disgust, frustration and impatience.

In summary, John Kasich has a high sincerity quotient (and thus also is believable and likable). Specifically, he has every intention of attending the GOP Convention in July in Cleveland as a candidate. He also believes his chances are relatively good at emerging as the Republican Nominee for President. The Governor however, during this interview, is also displaying relatively high levels of anger, frustration, disgust and impatience. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3502: Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant Pranks a College Team as ‘The Transfer’

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3475: John Kasich Hugs a Supporter - Was He Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3330: Vladimir Putin on 60 Minutes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3440: Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump - What Trump Really Thinks About Palin

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3221: Gov. Nikki Haley Choking Back Tears - is She Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3340: Bernie's and Hillary's Big Moment - Body Language at the Democrat Debate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3406: Republican Debate, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and a Body Language Tell for Insincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3308: Hillary Clinton's Apology - Certainly Late, Yet Was It Sincere?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2100: Ann Romney's and Gov. Chris Christie's Body Language at GOP Convention - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC Southern California Public Radio

Ann Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gave speeches Tuesday night at the 2012 GOP Convention in Tampa. Here is a link to my guest commentary on Patt Morrison's show on National Public Radio (NPR) - KPCC Southern California Public Radio.

See also:

Analysis # 1533: Ann & Mitt Romney's Body Language at NRA Meeting

Analysis  # 1555: Ann Romney Hits it Back Over the Net to Hilary Rosen

Analysis # 1455: Ann Romney, The Illinois Primary & Sincerity

Analysis # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Analysis # 1922: Jamie Dimon Testifies Before Congress - My Guest Commentary on NPR - KPCC Southern California Public Radio

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