Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4746: Todd Blanche's reaction to Donald Trump – and Trump's diminished Impulse Control on the final day of Trial – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

The above image was captured on 28 May 2024 just prior to the beginning of proceedings on the final day of Donald Trump's election interference trial. 

The expression on Trump's face in this image is, surprisingly, relatively neutral, however ...
 

... Trump's left-hand-over-his-right-fist configuration was a common behavior exhibited by him during the trial:

Trump is right-handed. Covering one's dominant hand, clenched in a fist – with the non-dominant hand is classic body language behavior indicative of trying to cover, sequester, and control one's temper. 

Todd Blanche's fingers are interlaced – indicative of frustration, impatience, and sometimes anger. While it's important to not interpret body language in isolation, people often adopt this hand pose when they're trying to appear 'leaderly' and composed: 

 

 

Todd Blanche's facial expression tells us much more. Note his eyelids are closed. This is a still image, so this could be simply coincidence (caught during a normal blink) but most likely it's not:

Closing one's eyelids frequently and/or for 'extended blinks' in this context indicates impatience, frustration, disbelief, and possibly anger.

Now look at Blanche's mid and lower face – it displays an amalgam of:

• Frustration **
• Impatience **
• Disbelief **

• Regret *****

In particular, note his mouth and cheek asymmetry – with more expression on Blanche's right side – 'hiding' on the side away from Trump. 

Also note the 'bunching up' of the area above his upper lip, together with his flared nostrils, and moderately clenched jaw.

SUMMARY: This image of Todd Blanche shows a good nonverbal encapsulation of much of his overall experience as Donald Trump's attorney:

• Regret

• Disbelief 

• Frustration

• Impatience

Trump displays diminished impulse control – covering his right (dominant hand) fist with his left hand. A thin veil of restraint. 

Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com  

 

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Body Language Analysis No. 4317: Scott Pruitt Confronted in Restaurant by Kristin Mink - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Scott Pruitt was recently confronted by Kristin Mink in a D.C. area restaurant. Ms. Mink is a sixth-grade teacher and mother. While holding her two-year-old son, she spoke briefly to the chief administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

What follows is a partial analysis of Scott Pruitt's nonverbal behavior.

Beginning at 0:00 Kristin Mink says to Scott Pruitt, “Hi. Ah, I just wanted to urge you to resign, um, for what you’re doing to the environment in our country. This is my son. He loves animals. He loves clean air. He loves clean water. Meanwhile, you’re slashing strong fuel standards for cars and trucks for the benefit of big corporations. Ah, you’ve been paying um, fifty bucks a night to stay in a D.C. condo that’s connected to an energy lobbying firm, while approving their dirty-sands pipeline. Um, we deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, somebody who believes in climate change and takes it seriously for the benefit of all of us, including our children. Um, so I would urge you to resign before your scandals push you out.”

During 0:07, just after Ms. Mink says, "... I just wanted to urge you to resign, um, for what you’re doing to the environment in our country...", Scott Pruitt displays a Tongue-in-Cheek nonverbal. In this context, a tongue-in-cheek sign is associated with smugness, arrogance, and the thought-emotions of "I won"/"I beat you"/"You just lost".

Please watch this video at regular and 1/2 speeds on a larger screen to more fully appreciate the dynamics of this behavior.

During 0:10, just after Kristin Mink says, "This is my son. He loves animals. He loves clean air.", Pruitt's mid-face takes on a display of Disgust. Note the momentary tightening of the area between his nose and upper lip (the mustache area) and the flaring of his right nostril (Because we can't fully view his left face from this angle, it's also possible that this expression is only present on his right side - and therefore is representative of Contempt).

Notice that Pruitt's right forehead muscles are contracted and elevated. Again, we cannot view his full left forehead, but if this dynamic is unilateral, it represents feelings of Disbelief/Incredulity (Because his center forehead muscles are not contracted, either this is indeed an incredulity tell [right side only] - or the EPA chief has undergone rather heavy Botox treatments of his mid-forehead).

During 0:17, we see Mr. Pruitt display a second, more overt, tongue-in-cheek display, just after Ms. Mink says, "... you’re slashing strong fuel standards for cars and trucks ...", This is representative of additional smugness, arrogance, and thought-emotions of "I won"/"I beat you"/"You just lost".

Simultaneously, Pruitt is also closing his eyes in a prolonged blink. This is a blocking behavior - his psyche is attempting to shut-out and distance himself from what he's witnessing/receiving.

At 0:25, just after Ms. Mink says, "... you’ve been paying um, fifty bucks a night to stay in a D.C. condo that’s connected to an energy lobbying firm ...", Scott Pruitt sits back, reorienting his torso farther from Kristin Mink in an additional attempt at distancing himself from her and the ramifications of her statements.

During 0:28 - 0:29, just after Ms. Mink says, "... while approving their dirty-sands pipeline ...", Scott Pruitt displays an amalgam of the emotions of Disgust, Bitterness, Regret, and Anger.

It's important to point out that, although the EPA Administrator's regret may be arising from several sources - the most obvious cause of Pruitt's regret in this moment is the fact that he's being confronted in public while being filmed.

After the 0:25 mark, Scott Pruitt covered his right hand with his left hand. In this context, this dynamic is symptomatic of his psyche trying to down-regulate his strong feelings. In addition, Pruitt's ring finger and middle finger can be seen repeatedly contracting and partially extending. His finger twitching is indicative of his anxiety and more specifically, his impatience for Ms. Mink to finish.

SUMMARY: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt displayed smugness-arrogance, incredulity, disgust (and/or contempt), bitterness, regret, impatience, anxiety, and anger - while Kristin Mink confronted him in a D.C. area restaurant. 

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See also:

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4314: Donald Trump, The Supreme Court, Abortion, and Punishment

Body Language & Emotional Intelligence - Analysis No. 4106 (Reposting with Addendum): Jordan's Queen Rania meets with Rohingya Refugee Children & Melania Trump's Visit to Children's Shelter/Detention Center

Body Language & Emotional Intelligence - Analysis No. 4310: Donald Trump signs order stopping his policy of separating families at the border

Body Language Analysis No. 4303: Donald Trump, the G7 Summit, Women's Empowerment, and Rage

Body Language Analysis No. 4293: Why is Harvey Weinstein Smiling?

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. 4248: My Extended interview re: Security Video of Stephen Paddock (1 October Las Vegas Shooter) - KTNV • Channel 13 Las Vegas

Body Language Analysis No. 4100: Bryan Cranston and The Eyelid Pull

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3926: Donald Trump regarding Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and Nuclear Threats - Face The Nation Interview - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Sunday's interview of Donald Trump on Face The Nation contained a multitude of nonverbal teaching moments. One very telling example is highlighted here.

JOHN DICKERSON: (beginning at 0:25): Mr. President, you and the administration said to North Korea, "Don't test a missile." They have tested a missile. Is the pressure not working?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, I didn't say, "Don't test a missile." He's going to have to do what he has to do. But he understands we're not going to be very happy. And I will tell you, a man that I've gotten to like and respect, the president of China, President Xi, I believe, has been putting pressure on him also. But so far [Near microexpression, see below] perhaps nothing's happened and perhaps it has. Ah- this was a small missile. This was not a big missile. This was not a nuclear test, which he was expected to do three days ago. Ah, we'll see what happens.

During 0:49, just after Trump says, "But so far...", the President displays a very brief expression (although slightly longer in duration than a microexpression) which is captured below.

Most nonverbal novices will see the disgust on the President's face once this moment is freeze-framed. They will, however, miss the forward jaw thrusting and jaw clenching (indicative of anger). Most will also not nuance the detail of his slightly more partially closed eyelids in this moment - which serve as amplifiers for both of these emotions. His deep inhalation/sniff in this context is also both a signal for and an additional amplifier of disgust.

Notice too how his lips are protruding forward - although the bottom lip much more prominently. The concave-down lip/mouth configuration is also quite dramatic. Coupled with his forward jaw thrusting/clenching, this is indicative of feigning consideration.

Summary: President Trump's group of simultaneous nonverbal displays at 0:49 in this interview (aka a nonverbal "cluster" or sentence) are indicative of an amalgam of false consideration, disgust, impatience, and anger.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3925: An Expression of Donald Trump's we're seeing with increasing frequency

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3923: John Boyega, Orlando Bloom, Swagger, and Alpha-Beta Balance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3921: Kim Jong-un, North Korea, Alpha Status, and Clapping 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3919: Donald Trump's Hands vs. Xi Jinping's Hands - Beta & Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3857: Taunting a Snowplow Driver - Belleville, Ontario

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3829: Mary Tyler Moore - Flirtatious, Sexy, Alpha Female Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3711: Vin Scully calls Kirk Gibson's legendary walk-off homer during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series



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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 No. 3332: Ben Carson's New Book Cover is a Rapport Destroyer - Body Language (PHOTOS)

No doubt Ben Carson, or someone/group which supports his candidacy paid a professional $50,000 dollars or thereabouts to photograph him for his new book (A More Perfect Union - published today). Photographic skills aside, with regards to judgement - this was a quite amateurish and very poor choice for the cover - particularly when the goal is to win Carson the White House.

Carson's "smile" is not a smile at all - far from it - and most importantly it does not signal sincerity. Moreover his facial expression has components impatience as well as subtle contempt. The position of Carson's hand will (erroneously) suggest to some the emotion of boredom - which of course is never a good quality for a candidate. Yet together with these facial nonverbals, his specific hand configuration is projecting (rather significantly) the emotions of critical evaluation and dismissal. 

Dr. Carson's left arm, across his chest with his palm resting on his right bicep - projects a closed mind (an example of blocking behavior) and an emotional tone of impatience.

In addition, in this day of high-definition video and images, most everyone senses this picture was photo shopped. If you show us your blemishes and imperfections, we will bond with you (for we have them too) - but if you hide them (and we see you pretending) you will push us away. 

The next you're negotiating (or trying to make a sale) - never try to close if your opposition (or customer) takes on this body language. Ben Carson's nonverbal behavior on his new book cover will destroy rapport, not built it. It will cost him votes, not win them.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3331: Mila finds out Adam Levine got married - Rapid Transitioning of Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3311: Ben Carson to Donald Trump - "He's an Okay Doctor" - Trump's Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3316: Ben Carson does not think that a Muslim Should be President - Is He Sincere - or Mimicking Trump's Tactics?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3317: Scott Walker Drops Out of Presidential Race - A Classic Body Language Tell

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3218: Jeb Bush Formally Announces His Candidacy for President - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Jeb Bush made his formal announcement of his candidacy for the 2016 Presidential election today at Miami Dade College. This of course came as no surprise to anyone. His speech, at least the verb components, was good - but not great. The possible "Bush 45" is not considered to be a very dynamic speaker. The reason for this however is not primarily in his words - but in his body language.

One wise tactic of Bush's was to use a minimalist lectern that does not obscure a good share of his body. This makes him more likable and easier to trust. The less we see of another person (e.g., speaking from behind a large, traditional lectern) the less we believe them and the less we like them.

Bush's body language was a good deal beta however. He very often used, what for him seems to be a default configuration - interlaced fingers resting on the lectern just above waist-level. Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, interlaced fingers often conveys impatience and frustration - even anger, yet here it signals a less assertive, more demure emotional tone. While there are some occasional exceptions, self-touching is to be largely avoided by any public speaker. Such practice should be second-nature to a politician of his experience. Jeb needs some work.

Below, Bush is a seen in a standing "Fig-Leaf" configuration (aka "Genital Guarding"). Again, there are exceptions when presidents, former presidents and presidential candidates should indeed display the fig-leaf body language - such as at a funeral, religious service, a wedding, interacting with a major religious figure, when a former president appears with a current one in a speech or public appearance, at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier - and a few others. But here, while running for president - and particularly at his kick-off speech, Jeb Bush should NEVER stand or sit in a fig-leaf position.

Many candidates (and other so-called "leaders") project alpha signals much too frequently - and thus what should transmit confidence and assertiveness instead sends signals of arrogance and condescending emotional tones. These are examples of hyper-alpha mistakes. Here Jeb Bush is doing the opposite, he's over-doing the beta signals. It is certainly good to be humble - but not hyper-beta. Anyone who displays the fig-leaf outside the context of the scenarios mentioned above is sending signals of weakness and projects low-confidence. He simply does not look at all presidential.

What other body language was Bush doing wrong?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3217: Rachel Dolezal, NAACP and Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3127: Hillary Clinton's Press Conference and a Body Language Down-regulator of Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate


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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 771: Many Signals Steeple on the Super Committee

This is an excellent Body Language photo of the four of the Congressional "Super Committee" members (United States Congress Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction). Most notable here and in most in focus is Rep. Fred Upton R-MI (light colored shirt and only one not in a suit jacket). His hands (and eyes) are in sending several messages in a group of simultaneous gestures. 

Notice how Representative Upton is covering his mouth - as are three of the four men pictured here. In this context, it is a signal of strong disapproval and even disbelief of the speaker (unseen) or the opinion being voiced. 

Mr. Upton's mostly interlaced fingers indicates negative/frustrated/defensive emotions and perhaps impatience (as does his democratic colleague to his right, Rep. Jim Clyburn D-SC). 

Upton's index fingers are meeting in a modified, partial steeple which is an extremely common nonverbal in a person of authority. A steeple, particularly a high steeple indicates confidence - however this is a partial steeple - ergo a lower level of confidence. The steeple gesture (particularly a full steeple) should be used only briefly and in well chosen times and settings as it often sends signals of arrogance and condescension. 

Thumbs on the chin is often a sign of true thought and consideration (note the Committee Member two seats to Mr. Upton's right - while not fully visible, probably has his thumb on his chin as well). 

Finally notice Fred Upton's eyes are mostly or entirely closed. This is a blocking signal - in effect Mr. Upton's subconscious is wishing whatever he is hearing/visualizing away for a few seconds.

So in summary in Representative Upton we see the following emotions as displayed via Body Language:  

1. Strong disapproval, and perhaps thoughts he (and others) believe he (they) are hearing deception
2. Negative/frustrated/defensive emotions and/or impatience
3. Confidence (but not overly confident)
4. True thought and contemplation
5. A "wishing away" (psychological blocking)

This is a very complex body language photo (still only partially analyzed). Of course in the real world in which we all live and work is in a constant state of flux with words being spoken and many other distractions ....and they won't hold still for us to dissect. 

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