Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3482: Donald Trump Refuses to Disavow David Duke and the KKK - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This morning, Donald Trump appeared on CNN's "State of The Union" with Jake Tapper. Mr. Tapper asked Mr. Trump questions about the recent endorsement of Gov. Chris Christie, Trumps taxes, his choice for a running mate - and whether or not he would disavow endorsements from the Ku Klux Klan - as well as from David Duke a former grand wizard of the KKK.

A partial nonverbal analysis follows.

Beginning at 6:11 (in above video) Jake Tapper continues: "...Will you, unequivocally, condemn David Duke and say that you don't want his vote or that of other white supremacists in this election?

Donald Trump: "Well, just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke. Okay? I don't know anything about  - what you're even talking about with, ah, white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don't know. I mean, I don't know. Did, did he endorse me or what's going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you're asking me a question that I'm supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about."

Tapper: "But th-, I guess the question from the, from the Anti-Defamation League is, even if you don't know about their endorsement, there are these groups and individuals endorsing you. Would you just say unequivocally you condemn them and you don't want their support?"

Trump: "Well, I have to look at the group. I mean, I don't know what group you're talking about. You wouldn't want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I have to look. If you would send me a list of the groups, I will do research on 'em. And, certainly, I would disavow if I thought there was something wrong."

Tapper: "The Ku Klux Klan?"

Trump: "But you may have groups in there that are totally fine, and it would be very unfair. So give me a list of the groups, and I'll let you know."

Tapper: "Okay. I mean, I'm just talking about David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan here, but ..."

Trump: "I don't know any — honestly, I don't know David Duke. I don't believe I have ever met 'em. I'm pretty sure I didn't meet him. And I just don't know anything about him."

Note that throughout the duration of this video, Donald Trumps rate of blinking is about 12 times normal (1). Increase blinking frequency is a strong signal of elevated anxiety. It's important to exclude medical causes - such as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Sjögren's syndrome, Lupus, etc. - none of which are suffered by Mr. Trump. It's also important to access any suspected momentary blinking frequency against the person's normal blink rate. This 1,200 percent increase (vs. normal) is much more rapid than Trump's baseline blinking and in no remote way could be considered normal for anyone with healthy eyes.

From a nonverbal viewpoint, there are several reasons Donald Trump is a very good liar. One of these which is often not recognized is his use of his "mask" face. When a person has less variability in their facial expression (or any other body language signals) - the less work the brain has to perform and thus the easier it is to deceive. Skilled lying is, after all, among other things - a form of multitasking. In addition, the more accustomed a person is to frequently returning to their "default" facial configuration (a true physiologic mask), the better they are able to suppress expressions of lying.

Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (Sociopaths, etc.) have a much higher frequency of facial mask behavior - and such frequent use of this emotional mask is but one manifestation of their decreased empathy quotient.

This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. 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 many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3469: Leonardo DiCaprio and Dame Maggie Smith on BAFTA Awards Kiss Cam - The British Academy Film Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2653: Carey Mulligan - Blunted Surprise and ... Body Language on Jimmy Kimmell, Part I 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2733: A Neuroscientist who's a Psychopath 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3102: Movie Portrayal of "Christian Grey" is a Sociopath or Worse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2741: Lupita Nyong'o Wins an Oscar - Signal of high Sincerity and Empathy 
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2588: Body Language Reaction to a Racially Prejudice Halloween Costume (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

After Jessica Black of Craigsville, Virginia dressed her seven-year old son in a Ku Klux Klan "costume" for Halloween - it naturally caused a stir.

In the above video one neighbor, Wendi Sprouse said (0:39 - 0:48), "... I just think it's really sad, like that a kid is being taught that, that young, because they don't know any better, you don't hear that much about it nowadays."

At 0:40 just as she says, "...think ..." and throughout much of her appearance in this video, Ms. Sprouse displays a mild-to-moderate expression of disgust. This is most notable here by the bilateral nasal flaring. Other findings include the tightening of the area between the upper lip and nose (mustache area), a dynamic deepening of the nasal-labial fold (from sides of nose down to just lateral to corners of the mouth), tightening of her eyelids and tilting back of her head-neck.


Disgust is a very common and powerful emotion seen in the context of prejudice - regardless of which point-of-view is being felt. The disgust nonverbal (particularly when it is chronic) is also very commonly displayed by those who will and have perpetrate(d) hate crimes. Multitudes of photos of Hitler, Goebbels, Göring, Osama Bin Laden, etc. show them with this facial expression. 

0:44 as she says "... that young ...", Ms. Sprouse's central forehead contracts as her inner (medial) eyebrows raise. This Central Forehead Contraction is seen in the context of physical or emotional pain felt directly for oneself or secondarily for another via empathy.

Ms. Sprouse is feeling emotional pain for such children who are being indoctrinated into a prejudice mindset.

Throughout her entire appearance in the video, Ms. Sprouse has her arms folded tightly across her chest - signifying a protectiveness-defensiveness, low comfort and closed-mindedness (against prejudice).


What other highly significant nonverbal signals were displayed in this video?





See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2579: Brandon Bryant Body Language of Disgust and Empathy - Confessions of a Drone Operator

Negotiation Secret # 72 & 73: Christine Lagarde's Disgust & Incredulity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2537: Kenya Mall Attack Witness, Body Language Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2390: Charles Ramsey Interview & Cleveland Kidnappings -  Sarcastic Disbelief, Disgust and Exclamation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2171:  Charlie Bit My Finger!  One Body Language Signal Always Seen With Significant Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2393:  Cleveland Kidnapper Ariel Castro's daughter Angie Gregg -  Body Language of Sincere Emotional Pain & Empathy 

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