Body Language Analysis №4690: Greg Abbott, Deception, and the Lip Curl (Photos)

 

A ‘Lip Curl’, when the lips flare/curl outward in disproportionate and melodramatic manner is a highly reliable indicator of the thought-emotions of:

• Hubris

• False Bravado

• Braggadocio

• Pretentiousness

• Righteous Indignation

• Deception

• Insincerity

• Agenda Driven (Manipulation is Present)

• This cannot be stressed enough: If a Lip Curl is displayed even with modest frequency, there’s a high likelihood of Machiavellian Personality (and very often, an accompanying Dark Triad or Dark Tetrad).

 

It’s a crucial tell, an out-of-context lip and mouth configuration — hyperbolic with respect to the word being spoken.

 

You’ve probably detected this subtle nonverbal behavior subconsciously (or at the edge of consciousness) but dismissed it.

 

It’s also commonly (but not always) accompanied by pseudo-accent sounding by word pronunciations — with an air of haughtiness (i.e., “Country Club Accent”).

In addition, there’s almost always a significant and simultaneous degree of jaw muscle tension/contraction present during a Lip Curl.

Interested in learning Body Language/Nonverbal Communication and Behavior Analysis in Group-Zoom sessions? We’ll be meeting the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month (90 minutes/session for 1 year, 36 hours total). Please email me at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com for details (one-on-one and private corporate group instruction also available).

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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in the many varied contexts of personal and professional life.

Body Language Analysis No. 4377: Donald Trump, "These aren't people, these are animals" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday 5 April 2019, while at two different campaign events in Iowa, Beto O’Rourke told the crowds that Donald Trump’s rhetoric echoes Nazi Germany, saying, "Putting kids in cages?", and "Calling human beings an infestation is something that we might’ve expected to hear in Nazi Germany", along with, "the rhetoric of a president who not only describes immigrants as rapists and criminals, but as animals and an infestation," as well as, "Saying that neo-Nazis and Klansmen and white supremacists 'are very fine people'? You draw your own conclusions, but this is not something that I expected to hear a president of the United States of America ever say."

One of Trump's statements to which O'Rourke was referring was from an event on 16 May 2018 (please see the above video). During a White House roundtable discussion on immigration policy, President Trump said, "We have people who are coming into the country - or trying to come in - we're stopping a lot of 'em. But we're taking people out of the country - you wouldn't believe how bad these people are. These aren't people - these are animals..."

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the President's statement from that day.

A split second after he says, "people" ("These aren't people"), President Trump displays a classic expression of Disgust.

Just as he finishes saying the end of the word "animals", Donald Trump displays what is known as a Lip Curl.

A lip curl is a signal of:

• Braggadocio
• Bravado
• Hubris
• Bluster

SUMMARY: President Trump's nonverbal behavior exhibited during this video, shows us a strong emotional display of disgust.

Disgust was the most common facial expression seen on the faces of Nazi soldiers who staffed Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, and the many other concentration camps during World War II. Contempt was also very common.

In order to perpetrate, encourage, or tolerate mass violence, hate crimes, and racism - the human mind must dramatically rationalize - by regarding the victims as "others" - believing them to be of a lower existence, subhuman.

Moreover, Trump's nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage displays - all indicate strong egocentric motives and pleasure with regard to the ramifications of his immigration policy.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4376: Jacinda Ardern and Donald Trump - a Study in Contrasts

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. 4369: Donald Trump's Border Wall Oval Office Address

Body Language Analysis No. 4367: Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer Argue in the Oval Office - The Border Wall and Government Shutdown

Body Language Analysis No. 4364: Vladimir Putin's and Mohammed bin Salman's High Five at the G20

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Body Language Analysis No. 4357: Donald Trump's response, "What a stupid question" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

As he departed for his trip to France on Friday 9 November 2018, Donald Trump answered questions on the South Lawn of White House. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of President Trump during a portion of this press gaggle.

ABBY PHILLIP: Do you expect Matt Whitaker to be involved in the Russia Probe? Do you want to -

DONALD TRUMP: (over-talking) It's up to him.

ABBY PHILLIP: Do you want him to rein-in Robert Mueller?

DONALD TRUMP: What a stupid question that is. What a stupid question. But I watch you a lot. You ask a lot of stupid questions.

During 20:37, just after Abby Phillip asks, "Do you want him to rein-in Robert Mueller?", Trump closes his eyes, tilts his head to his right, and clearly displays Contempt. This contempt expression is centered on his left mouth corner, the tightening of the area above his upper lip and below his nose (aka the 'mustache region') along with the (mild) flaring of his left nostril.

His closed eyelids - as well as the tilting of his head, while not required for a contempt display, here both act as contempt amplifiers.

Two seconds later, during 20:39, Trump displays what is known as a Lip Curl (his upper lip flaring out slightly) as he says the word, "is". A lip curl signals hubris, braggadocio, and/or bravado. Listen carefully, for Trump tends to have a slight lisp when displaying the lip curl signal (a nonverbal tell he often exemplifies). 

Trump responds with a "Finger-point-hand-chop (during 20:43) as he says, "You ask a lot of  ...". When verbally responding to a question in this manner, it's a subconscious affirmation that what was asked (in this case, "Do you want him to rein-in Robert Mueller?") is in fact true. Ergo, Trump does indeed want the new acting Attorney General to control Muller's investigation.

Trump's desire to do so, is, of course, obvious to even casual observers, but this is a fantastic example of a such a nonverbal display. Here's the Rub though: to note times when someone who you like, believe, and trust - exhibits identical nonverbal behavior (e.g., in everyday scenarios). If we fall victim to our subjective tendencies (our confirmation bias) of people we care for - would we then be able to spot the lie? The insincerity? The manipulation? The vast majority of times, the answer is clearly, "No". Therefore, using nonverbal tells is an objectivity tool - a way of checking our own opinions when, as human beings, we are inherently biased.

Another Contempt display (20:46),  is signified on Trump's left mouth corner and mustache region. There is also a secondary element of Disgust conveyed in this moment.

Trump then displays a Loose Tongue Jut (20:47). This signifies the thought-emotion of "I've been bad", "I've been caught", "I've just done/said a stupid thing". This is seen when the psyche is scolding itself for making an unforced error.

From a statement analysis and behavioral analysis perspective, whenever a person responds to a question by calling it, "Stupid", with extremely high likelihood, it's a clear signal they feel that they've been sussed. They're trapped. If his intentions were honest, Trump should have simply answered, "No". Moreover, this response also indicates a lack of impulse control.

SUMMARY: Donald Trump's nonverbal behavior indicates he has both contempt and disgust for journalist Abby Phillip. Moreover, Trump knows he's made a mistake in naming Matt Whitaker as the Acting Attorney General - and yet he does fully intend to use him to "rein-in" Robert Mueller's investigation.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4356: Donald Trump: "When I can, I tell the truth"

Body Language Analysis No. 4354: Mass Shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue

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. 4321: Donald Trump and The Queen

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

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

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Body Language Analysis No. 4356: Donald Trump: "When I can, I tell the truth" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Thursday 1 November 2018, Jonathan Karl of ABC News interviewed President Trump. One of Trump's responses went particularly viral. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this interview.

JONATHAN KARL (continuing at 3:49): And finally, I remember, you remember - well on the campaign, you made a promise, you said, "I will never lie to you". So, can you tell me now, honestly, have you - kept that promise at all times? Have you always been truthful?

DONALD TRUMP: (over-talking) Well I try, I mean I do try, I think you try too. You say things about me that are not - necessarily correct. I do try and - ah, I always wanna tell the truth - when I can, I tell the truth. I mean sometimes it turns out to be where something happens - it's different or there's a change - but I always like to be truthful. 

Throughout the great majority of this entire exchange with Karl (including further back in this interview [beginning at 2:12] as the President answers questions regarding the ongoing diaspora of Central American people walking north through Mexico), Trump looks down and to HIS right (with both eyes and to a lesser degree, his head and neck).

Eye contact during deception is an intriguing phenomenon. When someone is telling a lie, the percentage of eye contact they have with the other person (or the camera) is biphasic. It almost always either increases (and thus, often takes on the feel of staring) - or it decreases. Moreover, when their eye contact does decrease, the quadrant to which the liar most often looks is THEIR lower right quadrant (exactly what we see here).

Notice too, the verbal language President Trump used. He never said, "Yes", "Always", "I'm always truthful", or "One-hundred percent" - rather Trump said:

• "Well I try"
• "I do try"
• "I always wanna tell the truth"
• "when I can, I tell the truth"
• "I always like to be truthful"

Such hedging, whether in written or verbal form, are profound statement analysis tells indicative of deception.

In addition, Donald Trump immediately proceeds with the premise that Jonathan Karl also lies when he says, "I think you try too. You say things about me that are not - necessarily correct". This is a manipulative method known as Forced Teaming (de Becker). It's as if to say, "We're in this together Jon - you and me" - and - You lie too Jonathan, everybody lies, but we all try not to".


Now flashback to an earlier portion of this interview. Beginning as Trump says (continuing at 2:31), "... you have caravans coming up that, look a lot larger than it's reported, actually, I mean I'm pretty good at - estimating crowd size - and I will tell you - they look a lot bigger than people would think ..."

From 2:31 to 2:39 Trump displays a combination of a Suppressed Smile along with what is known as a Lip Curl. Please watch the above video - as any still image does not capture the dynamic nature of this nonverbal behavior.

In this context, a suppressed smile is what is a nonverbal phenomenon termed as Duping Delight (Ekman) - which is a form of body language 'leaking' - wherein the person displaying it, is taking true joy in THEIR belief that they're successfully deceiving people. It's crucial to emphasize here that you don't have to agree at all with the ethics of their lying or their motive. Moreover, they may not be fooling anyone at all - but THEY believe they are doing so.

A lip curl (note the outward curl of Trump's upper left lip) signals Hubris, Braggadocio, and Bravado. Trump tends to have a slight lisp when he displays his lip curls (both in this example and on other occasions). This is best exemplified as he says the word "size" during 2:37.

Notice too, that during 2:36 - 2:39, Trump's shoulders elevate slightly as he puffs up his chest (and perhaps elevates a bit on his toes). While not a required component of either a lip curl or duping delight, these additional dynamics add to this particular body language sentence - a nonverbal grouping called a cluster. These extra components serve as amplifiers - of both the joy he has in the act of deceiving - as well as his hubris, braggadocio, and bravado.

SUMMARY: During this interview, Donald Trump is looking down to his right the vast majority of the time - the direction of gaze to which most people look during the diminished eye contact of deception. Trump also demonstrates classic nonverbal tells indicating he takes pleasure and hubris in the belief he's successfully perpetrating his lies.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4355: Comparing Donald Trump and the Tree of Life Synagogue to Ronald Reagan and the Challenger Disaster 

Body Language Analysis No. 4353: The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Trump's Defense of Saudi Arabia 

Body Language Analysis No. 4351: Donald Trump Stops Anthony Kennedy in His Tracks 

Body Language Analysis No. 4349: Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford - Part III

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4321: Donald Trump and The Queen

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4282: When Public Displays of Affection are More Frequent than those in Private

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Body Language Analysis No. 4285: President Trump regarding Undocumented Immigrants: "These aren't people - these are animals" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Earlier today, during a White House roundtable discussion on immigration policy, President Trump said, "We have people who are coming into the country - or trying to come in - we're stopping a lot of 'em. But we're taking people out of the country - you wouldn't believe how bad these people are. These aren't people - these are animals..."

Just as he finishes saying the end of the word "... animals ...", President Trump displays what in nonverbal parlance is known as a Lip Curl.

A lip curl is a signal of:

• Braggadocio
• Hubris
• Bravado
• Bluster

SUMMARY: President Trump's nonverbal behavior - which is in full agreement with his verbal and his paralanguage displays - are all indicating strong egocentric emotional motives with respect to his policy on immigration. Such behavior points to high subjectivity, extreme bias, and impulsiveness in decision making.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4282: When Public Displays of Affection are More Frequent than those in Private 

Body Language Analysis No. 4280: David Beckham, Princess Leia, and Embarrassment

Body Language Analysis No. 4279: Rudy Giuliani regarding President Trump's alleged Sexual Relationship with Stormy Daniels

Body Language Analysis No. 4201: Donald Trump's reaction to Rob Porter Resignation

Body Language Analysis No. 4268: Benedict Cumberbatch, Schadenfreude, and The Grinch

Body Language Analysis No. 4173: California Mud Slides - Rescue and Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3856: "Belle" Clip - Beauty and the Beast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3814: Claire Foy's recounting of Meeting Kate Winslet

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Body Language Analysis No. 4227: Sarah Huckabee Sanders comments regarding Stormy Daniels and President Trump - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders answered several questions regarding Stormy Daniels ( On 6 March 2018, Ms. Daniels filed a lawsuit against President Trump alleging that the nondisclosure agreement is non-binding because it was never signed by Mr. Trump). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of one of those exchanges. 

JOURNALIST: (beginning at 12:03): I - I, I do have a question about something you said earlier in response to Jeff's question. You said that there's arbitration? - that's already been won? Ω By whom? - and when? - and -

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: [over-talking] Ah, by the President's personal attorneys - and for details on that, I would refer you to them.

JOURNALIST: But you're aware of them, so what can more can you share with us?

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I can share that - ahhh - that arbitration was won in the President's favor, and I would refer you to the President's out-cod [sic] counsel on any details beyond that §

During 12:11, just after the journalist says, "that's already been won?" - Ms. Huckabee Sanders displays a classic Microexpression of Regret- as the left corner of her mouth pulls out laterally (notated in the above dialog with the Ω symbol). This occurs very quickly. Please watch this at regular speed, and then at 1/2 and 1/4 speeds.

At several times, Ms. Sander's mouth took on a highly asymmetrical configuration. The example shown immediately above occurred during 12:15 as she said, "... and for details on that ..."

Another good example of mouth asymmetry occurred during 12:26 as she said, "... out-cod [sic] counsel ...".

Notice that the word "outside" was misspoken as "out-cod". Intriguingly, during most all of her White House appearances, when Ms. Huckabee Sanders mispronounces (as, of course, we all do), she rarely, corrects herself. Why?

Note that some people, such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speak CONSTANTLY out of one side of their mouth. Such behavior may be due to an injury, a long-standing nerve palsy - or very possibly is simply an ingrained, long-term habit.

When medical causes such stroke and nerve palsies have been ruled out - as well as facial tics, have been eliminated (none of which apply to Ms. Huckabee Sanders), INTERMITTENT asymmetrical mouth configuration occurring during speech (as is exemplified here), it indicates either:

• Bravado/Hubris
or
• Insincerity/Deception

In every culture around the World, speaking out of the side of one's mouth is widely accepted as signaling dishonesty. Speech therapy should be utilized to minimize and/or eliminate this speech asymmetry - particularly in professions where communication and negotiations are so crucial.

After she finishes her answer, during 12:30, Ms. Huckabee Sanders looks down with prolonged eyelid closure - and very obviously suppresses a smile (notated by a § symbol in the above dialog).

There are only two reasons why she would want to smile-laugh at this moment (out of context):

• Ms. Huckabee Sanders thinks some issue with Stormy Daniels is funny: e.g., the fact that she's suing the President, the alleged affair, the alleged hush-money, that Michael Cohen has complained that he had not been reimbursed for the $130,000 payment to Ms. Daniels (per Wall Street Journal), etc.

• Deception: e.g., The President has not, in fact, won any new arbitration against Stormy Daniels. Thus, her act of suppressing her smile/laughter would be an example of Duping Delight.

Summary: Ms. Huckabee Sanders either believes an issue regarding the recent lawsuit brought by Stormy Daniels against President Trump to be funny - or she is lying when she says, the President has won recent a recent arbitration against her.


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


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4226: Roger Stone, Donald Trump, and Wikileaks

Body Language Analysis No. 4224: Greta Gerwig's reaction to Guillermo del Toro's Best Picture Oscar Speech

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. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4183: Aly Raisman, Larry Nassar, and USA Gymnastics

Body Language Analysis No. 4149: Zendaya, Zac Efron, and "The Greatest Showman"

Body Language Analysis No. 4087: Harrison Ford Accidentally Punches Ryan Gosling in the Face - Blade Runner 2049

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence


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Body Language Analysis No. 4201: Donald Trump's reaction to Rob Porter Resignation - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday morning, President Trump publicly reacted to Rob Porter's resignation. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of his statement.

Journalist: Do you have any comment on Mr. Porter?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we wish him well. He worked very hard. I found about it - recently and I was surprised by it. But we certainly wish him well. It's a-ah ... obviously tough time - for him. He did a very good job when he was in the White House. Ahum, we hope he has a - wonderful career and - hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him. But ah, it was very sad when we heard about it, and certainly he's also, ah, very sad. Now he also, ah, as you probably know, he says he's innocent – Ω – and I think you have to - remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent - so you'll have to talk to him about that. But we absolutely wish him well - did a very good job while he was at the White House. Thank you very much everybody.

During 0:35, as he says, "... ah ...", the President displaces his derriere backward in his chair in a classic Butt Adjustment. A Butt Adjustment is an Alpha Up-regulation signal triggered by anxiety. The President feels nervous when he's preparing to say, "... as you probably know, he says he's innocent ..." 

Additionally, his prolonged blinking is an epiphenomenon of psychological blocking - as the President's psyche is attempting to insulate itself. 

One to two seconds later, during 0:36 - 0:37, as he is saying, "... he says he's innocent ...", Donald Trump displays a Lip Curl. A Lip Curl is a signal of Braggadocio, Hubris, and Bravado.

Another second later, during 0:38, just before he says, "... and I think you have to - remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent ...", President Trump exhibits a Jaw Jut (notated by the Ω symbol). It's important to note this is not a jaw jut associated with anger (e.g., there are no other anger signals present). A Jaw Jut in the absence of Anger is indicative of Hubris.

Summary: Intriguingly, Donald Trump became anxious during his defense of Rob Porter - specifically just prior to saying, "... as you probably know, he says he's innocent ...". The President also felt significant hubris-braggadocio-bravado.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4200: Mike Pence re: Rob Porter and Why It Seems Pence is "Out Of The Loop" on Major News

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4196: Trey Gowdy on "Face The Nation"

Body Language Analysis No. 4194: Tom Brady, "Why Does Everyone Want Me To Retire So Bad?"

Body Language Analysis No. 4183: Aly Raisman, Larry Nassar, and USA Gymnastics

Body Language Analysis No. 4149: Zendaya, Zac Efron, and "The Greatest Showman"

Body Language Analysis No. 4125: Michael Flynn, Trick Arrows, and Suppressing Strong Emotions 

Body Language Analysis No. 4091: John Kelly's Press Briefing, "I'm not quitting"/"I'm not getting fired" 

Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels



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Body Language Analysis No. 4139: Donald Trump, the Tax Bill will "Cost Me a Fortune" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Wednesday 29 November 2017 President Trump gave a speech in St. Charles, Missouri. Among other issues, he spoke about the current proposed tax bill. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a key portion of his speech.

Beginning at 1:21, President Trump continues, "... So right now, America's tax code is a total,  dysfunctional, mess. The current system has cost our nation, millions of American jobs, trillions and trillions of dollars, and billions of hours wasted on paperwork and compliance. It is riddled with loopholes that let some special interests - including myself in all fairness, it's going to cost me a fortune, this thing - believe me - belief, this is - not good for me Ω. Me, it's not so -, I have some very wealthy friends..."

As President Trump speaks the words, "... myself in all fairness, it's going to cost me a fortune, this thing ..." he displays a Lip Curl. Simultaneous he speaks will shallow breaths - with the anterior (front portion) of his nose and mouth.  His voice is therefore momentarily nasal-sounding. This nonverbal-affectation cluster is highly indicative of Sarcasm and False Bravado.

During 1:47, as he says, "... believe me ...", the President's mouth briefly becomes very asymmetrical - favoring his right side.

A second later, during 1:48, as he says, "... belief ...", Donald Trump again speaks out of the right side of his mouth - although it's not quite as pronounced. Curiously, he seems to have cut himself off/misspoken (saying, "belief" rather than, "believe me") - thus his nonverbal asymmetry was also mirrored with similar truncation.

This statement analysis/paralanguage axiom stands on its own: When a person says, "believe me" (particularly when they repeat themselves), with high probability, they're lying.

A sudden asymmetrical mouth configuration is classic for both Deception and False Bravado.

The appearance of Trump's "Believe me" and "belief" - both coincident with his repeated one-side mouth speaking - indicates with very high probability President Trump was lying.

During 1:50, at the end of his statement, "... this is not good for me" as he says "me" and for a split second after (connoted by Ω), he touches himself on both sides of his chest. This gesture, because he only is using the tips of his fingers, is correlated with a low degree of sincerity.

Moreover, Trump touches his chest, with all probability, with only the tips of the three middle digits - not his pinky or his thumbs. His thumbs are - in a classic tell - pulling/pointing away from his chest.

Conversely, a high sincerity quotient is indicated with the touching of the full palm(s) to the chest (a full "palmar touch") - as well as the palmar surfaces of all the digits.

Notice too, how in the third and fourth pictures above, Trump's eyes are momentarily closed. Prolonged and/or frequent blinking is an anxiety indicator. It's crucial that these phenomena occur during his declarative statements. Blinking frequently and/or in a prolonged fashion is also a form of diminished eye contact. Suddenly decreasing eye contact is correlated with lying.

Summary: Based on his nonverbal, verbal, and paralanguage/statement analysis behavior during this segment of President Trump's recent speech - with very high probability he is being deceptive when he claims the proposed tax plan would cost him a fortune.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4138: Matt Lauer, Intimidation, and Aggression

Body Language Analysis No. 4136: Seminole Heights/Tampa Florida Serial Killer - Criminal Profiling

Body Language Analysis No. 4134: Hope Hicks, Emotional Intelligence, and Communicating Nonverbally

Body Language Analysis No. 4117: Roy Moore, Sexual Misconduct, and The US Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4107: Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4079: Tom Price, Private Jets, and Nonverbal Disparity

Body Language Analysis No. 4046: Melania Trump, Hurricane Harvey, and "Destroying Empathy 101"

Body Language Analysis No. 4012: Anthony Scaramucci's and Reince Priebus' First (and Last) Photo in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis No. 3978: Keanu Reeves, Chuck Spadina, Sincerity, and Empathy


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Body Language Analysis No. 4126: Jeff Sessions' Joking regarding Kislyak/Russia - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Yesterday during a meeting of The Federalist Society - three days after Jeff Sessions testified before the House Judiciary Committee - he openly joked about communicating with the Russians.

Intriguingly, this conference took place at The Mayflower Hotel - which was one of the locations where (then) Senator Sessions did, in fact, meet with Sergey Kislyak during Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign (April 2016).

During his Senate confirmation hearings, Attorney General Sessions denied, while under oath, any contact with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. Moreover, he stated he was unaware of any contacts between members of the Trump campaign staff and any Russian officials.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Jeff Sessions in the above video.

ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS (beginning at 0:00): But I just was thinkin', Ya know I should - ah, wanna ask you is - is Ambassador Kislyak in the room? Ω ...

Just after he says, "... is Ambassador Kislyak in the room? ...", Jeff Sessions' jaw momentarily projects forward (captured in both of these images less than one second apart during 0:05). This is known as a "Jaw Jut". Watch this several times in at 1/2 and 1/4 speed.

Nonverbal novices will often falsely interpret ALL Jaw Juts as signals of anger - yet this is a gross oversimplification. If anger is present, other nonverbal indicators will also be seen.

For a moment consider the verbal homonym, "Hot" as it is used in the English language. One can say, "It's hot outside" (referring to temperature) - or "This pepper is hot" (spiciness) - or "She is hot" (physical attractiveness) - or "A particular news subject is hot" (popularity). Despite the fact that the word is pronounced the same and spelled the same - within these contexts, we have no difficulty determining their respective meanings of "Hot". However - when removed from their sentences, it's impossible to define them. The same is true with nonverbal homonyms. Thus, as with all nonverbal behavior, a "Jaw Jut"- should always be interpreted in the context of the other signals contained in the "nonverbal sentence".

Is Jeff Sessions' jaw jut in this setting a signal of anger? What other coexisting signs either confirm or refute the presence of anger?

Don't make the mistake of interpreting a Jaw Jut as a component of laughter either. During moments of sincere laughter (and to a lesser extent with sincere smiling) - the jaw moves in the opposite direction - it retracts. 

Summary:  In the absence of anger and other signals, a Jaw Jut is a signal of Hubris in addition to Insincerity.

Many people have little ability to avoid "cracking a smile" when they're hiding something or deceiving. This is often colloquially referred to as having a "poor poker face". Jeff Sessions is one such person. Both consciously and unconsciously many people with this tendency believe that if they laugh and smile frequently - then others won't be able to tell when they are lying. Sessions' act of openly joking regarding Russia and Ambassador Kislyak camouflages his relative lack of ability to suppress his smiling and laughing out of context. This tactic of "Hiding in Plain Sight" is similar to a sixteen-year-old purchasing multiple items at once hoping the cashier doesn't notice the cigarettes.

In a larger sense, Jeff Sessions' act of openly joking about Russia - and Russia's aggressive interference in the 2016 US Presidential Election (verified by all US Intelligence agencies) has the profound additional effect of normalizing this and similar election interference - both in the minds' of foreign powers and in the minds' of the average American.


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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4125: Michael Flynn, Trick Arrows, and Suppressing Strong Emotions

Body Language Analysis No. 4123: Jason Momoa, Aquaman, the Quindent, and a Secret

Body Language Analysis 4121: Roy Moore's Far Too Frequent Expression

Body Language Analysis No. 4119: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4114: Robert Mueller, Critical Evaluation, and the Double-L

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

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

Body Language Analysis No. 3982: Bangkok Police Officer's De-Escalation Genius

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3896: Did Matthew Perry Really Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?


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