The above video clip is from Trump's appearance in Clinton, Iowa on January 6th 2024 – three years to the day after his attempt at insurrection. What follows is a body language analysis of crucial tells Trump displayed during this segment.
Note that just after the video begins (0:01), we see a brief display of what is known as a Loose Tongue Jut – a nonverbal signal of:
• Deception • "I just said/about to say a stupid thing" • "I've been/about to be caught" • "I've been bad"
Be careful not to confuse a Loose Tongue Jut with a Tight Tongue Jut or a Wide Open Tongue Jut – as these indicate completely different thought-emotions.
Then Trump says (0:1 - 0:4), "Unlike every other candidate in this race, with me you know, ..."
As he says this Trump twists his torso several times. In this context, this twisting is indicative of anxiety associated with Deception.
As you rewatch this video segment, please recall the expressions: "Twisting yourself into a pretzel", "Twisting the Truth", "Twisted Lies", etc.
Note also, that whilst he's twisting his torso, Trump also displays a facial expression indicating an amalgam of both Contempt and Disgust.
Then Trump continues, "... in your heart, that I will always put America first – which I will, I think I've proven that...". Note that just after Trump says, "first", he shrugs (0:07) with both shoulders (more pronounced on his right [because that shoulder is lower due to his turn/twisted torso]).
Whenever Shoulder Shrugging should never be seen when a person is making a declarative statement ("...I will always put America first ..."), you know that they don't believe whatever they just said/are saying.
This is also a good example of the verbal language disagreeing with the nonverbal language – in such cases, it's the nonverbal message that speaks the truth.
Did you notice Trump's eye closure during his shoulder shrugging? This signals yet another signal of lying – momentary lack of eye contact during the lie.
A second later is a great example of a Statement Analysis tell – with Trump's use of "I think I've proven that" (rather than "I've proven that" or "I know I've proven that") a hedging statement which betrays his low confidence and deception.
SUMMARY: In this 9 second clip, we see Donald Trump display 4 nonverbal signals/supportive signals and one verbal (statement analysis) sign of Deception – as well as his display of Contempt and Disgust.
All professionals, individuals, and businesses/organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills and nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence please email me: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com Group and individual sessions available.
On Monday 14 January 2019, President Trump addressed a press gaggle on the South Lawn of the White House prior to his travel to New Orleans. What follows is a partial nonverbal, verbal, and paralanguage analysis of a crucial portion of this event.
KRISTEN WELKER (beginning at 3:15): Mr. President, yes or no, have you or are you now, have you ever worked for Russia? Yes or no?
DONALD TRUMP: I never worked for Russia. And you know that answer better than anybody. I never worked for Russia. Not only did I never work for Russia, I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question - because it's a whole big fat hoax. It's just a hoax.
During 3:20, just as he says, "I" ("I never worked for Russia"), he closes both of his eyes. When people are denying an accusation - and they close their eyes while saying the pivotal word "I", it's highly correlative with deception. It's an attempt by the subconscious to distance itself from the lie.
Of profound importance is Trump's vocal emphasis as he says the word, "work" (during 3:26, "Not only did I never WORK for Russia"). Listen to him speak. An innocent person would have put the emphasis on the word, "Not" as well as "never". And also, importantly, an innocent person would have first answered, "No" - after all, the question was, "Mr. President, yes or no, have you or are you now, have you ever worked for Russia? Yes or no?"
Trump's emphasis on the word "work" is an example of his rationalization - e.g., Trump is trying to rationalize that he was/is not working for Russia - but doing something else - perhaps partnering with or conducting business.
Trump also may very well believe that he was not at all working with Russia - but with one man only - Vladimir Putin. Thus, he can deny the accusation.
Moreover, another crucial statement analysis tell is the word "for" ("I never worked for Russia" [twice], and "Not only did I never work for Russia"). In his rationalizing mind, Trump is saying, "I worked with Russia (Putin), but not for Russia (Putin) - I don't work for anyone except myself".
When, in the act of refuting a lie, if the
accused gestures with a Finger-Point-Hand-Chop - it's a nonverbal signal
which is highly correlative with guilt. This body language is exactly what President Trump displayed when responding to Kristen Welker's question.
There's even further nuance embedded in Trump's gesturing. Note how his elbow, shoulder, and wrist all remain bent. During his finger-point-hand-chop at Ms. Welker, none of the joints achieve anywhere near full extension. If Trump had believed his own words, he would have straightened his arm much further in this moment. Instead, the President, lacking confidence in his retort, keeps his arm close to his torso. The President often exhibits such camouflaged acquiescing behavior.
(Did you notice his eyes were again closed at this key moment?)
Another telling nonverbal display (seen during 3:34) is what is known as a Lip Curl as Trump says, "hoax" ("It's just a hoax"). Note how his lips are flaring and curled outward in this instant (captured in the image above).
He then Thrusts his Jaw outward, tilts his head-neck back, while rotating his head away from Ms. Welker, to his left and then back again to his right while staring into the middle-distance (3:35).
Like any person who is guilty, but attempting to look strong and
in-control, Trump is oscillating back-and-forth between alpha and beta
emotions.
Jaw-Thrusting-Head-Tilting is a sign of an adrenaline surge and indicates the thought-emotion of defiance. Intriguingly, this dynamic is extremely common in mug shots (e.g., "I'm going to beat the rap").
Trump then looks back to Ms. Welker as he displays a Loose Tongue Jut (3:37). This microexpression/near-microexpression tongue movement signals Trump's thought-emotions of:
• I've been caught
• I've been bad
• I've done a stupid thing
A split-second later (also during 3:37), Trump's chin again extends outward, but this time his head does not tilt back. This is also associated with an adrenaline surge, however, this indicates Anger (Did you notice the increased tension in his lower eyelids?).
Mr. Trump then displays strong Contempt toward Ms. Welker as his right mid-face contracts dramatically - while his jaw is still jutting forward (still during 3:37).
Another key feature of this entire exchange, is that President Trump
never turns fully toward (he never Body Points) to Kristen Welker. While
his head and eyes are turned toward the journalist - his shoulders and torso do not (and by inference - neither do his hips or feet). This is another sign of his beta behavior - and that the President does NOT have the
confidence to fully confront this question/his accuser.
Moreover, two days earlier, during a phone interview on Fox News - when Jeanine Pirro asked Donald Trump, "Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia, Mr. President?", the President never answered the question. His failure to directly deny such accusations - even on a network that is extremely Trump-friendly, is particularly telling.
SUMMARY: Donald Trump's nonverbal, verbal, and paralanguage behavior displayed during this key moment earlier this week, all indicate that the President is lying - and that he did indeed "work for Russia" (Putin).
President Trump routinely retreats into beta mode while wearing an alpha facade. He's an ostrich pretending to be a T-Rex.
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.
On Tuesday, 25 September 2018, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Donald Trump was openly laughed at by other world leaders. What follows is a partial body language analysis of that moment.
Beginning at 0:29 in the above video, Donald Trump continues, "In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our county.
[Laughter begins] America's [pause] so true [Resurgence of Audience Laughter] Didn't expect that reaction, that's okay [Laughter and clapping]."
As the other world leaders laugh, just after he says, "America's - so true", Trump huffs an exhale, displaying a whole-body shrug (0:47) followed by a Loose Tongue Jut (0:48).
A loose tongue jut signals the thought-emotions of: "I've been bad", "I've got caught", "I've done a stupid thing" (Navarro). Take care not to confuse a loose tongue jut with a tight tongue jut or a wide open tongue jut, for they have entirely different meanings.
Now, go back four seconds (0:43) to the moment just after the other leaders begin laughing at Trump. Here we see the American President display contempt toward these other leaders. Although his head is turned and oblique to this camera angle, the snarl-like mid-facial configuration of contempt is clearly visible on Trump's left. Notice also, the tightening of the region above his upper lip/below his nose. Additionally, although we can't see it from this position, his left nostril is flared.
Next, flash-forward to the 0:55 mark. Although it must be viewed in the dynamic context of the video, Trump can be seen falsely adjusting his jacket in an alpha up-regulatory gesture. This is a textbook classic MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) as his psyche feels the need to try and re-assert itself after the embarrassment of being mocked on a world stage.
At first glance, one might think Trump is smiling in this moment. Yet this is the initial stage of a disgust expression. Such disgust-smiles (one type of social/feigned/fake smile) are a commonly-used ruse.
A second later, we can see Trump's disgust expression is more fully developed. His accompanying Jaw Jut (forward thrusting of his jaw with chin dimpling) also betrays his adrenaline-surge and a component of anger. Also notice that Trump's lips are stretched laterally in the highly characteristic Thin Lips of Anger.
SUMMARY: President Trump was embarrassed after realizing he had overstepped with his braggadocio at the United Nations General Assembly. He felt both contempt and disgust toward the other leaders who were openly laughing at him.
On 7 June 2016, two days prior to the now infamous Trump Tower meeting, Donald Trump gave a speech in Westchester, New York. A video of that speech is included above. It took place on the same night the presumptive Republican nominee won primaries in California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
What follows is a nonverbal analysis of a small but crucial portion of that speech - when Trump teased the electorate with the forthcoming release of damaging information on Hillary Clinton.
Beginning at 7:02, Candidate Trump continues, "... I am going to give a major speech on - probably Monday of next week and we're going to be discussing all of the things that have taken place with the Clintons. I think you're going to find it very informative and very, very interesting."
About a second after he finishes this sentence (during 7:20), Donald Trump displays a profoundly telling nonverbal signal - a Loose Tongue Jut.
A loose tongue jut indicates the thought feelings of:
• I've been bad
• I've done a foolish thing
• I've been caught/I'm going to be caught
If we look carefully though, less than a second prior to this loose tongue jut (also during 7:20), we see another significant display - subtle, but just as insightful: a Tongue-in-Cheek maneuver.
A tongue-in-cheek dynamic projects the thought-feelings of:
• I Won
• Gotcha!
• Overlapping Smugness
Now, look at this wider angle image of the same moment. Ivanka Trump's body language was also noteworthy. Ms. Trump, who, three seconds earlier, had been looking at the audience:
• Turned her head, neck, and eyes toward her father
• Shifted back and forth on her feet
• Momentarily suppressed a mouth smile
• Pulled her cheeks inward
• Blushed slightly
• Narrowed her eyes (partially closed her eyelids)
Ivanka Trump held this facial expression for about two seconds.
The action of pulling or sucking one's cheeks inward - often biting the insides of
the cheeks mildly to moderately - is a common subconscious and
edge-of-consciousness maneuver occurring during the suppression of
smiling. At 7:23, Ms. Trump can't resist and then smiles fully.
This particular cluster pattern of suppressed smiling was an example of Duping Delight. She is experiencing sincere joy-happiness in her belief that she knows a secret. It would have been very natural and normal for context to smile when your father is the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee, yet she reigned-in her smile. Her blushing while biting/sucking in her cheeks are especially telling - and indicate that she was doing her best to maintain a poker face - to avoid divulging information. She wanted to keep clandestine.
SUMMARY: Donald Trump's nonverbal behavior during this speech is highly consistent with his belief that he's about to receive politically damaging
information regarding Hillary Clinton. He is smug and giddy with anticipation. This speech took place two days prior to the 9 June 2016 Trump Tower Meeting - and
four days after Donald Trump Jr and Rob Goldstone arranged the meeting.
Moreover, Ivanka Trump's simultaneous nonverbal behavior indicates with high probability, that she also had foreknowledge of the Trump Tower meeting.
