Body Language Analysis №4700: Donald Trump's Lisp of Fear (and other Tells) — Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

As fear crescendos, we may see any number of multiple nonverbal tells. A cluster of behavior Donald Trump displays when he’s scared and feels backed in a corner includes:

• Tightening of his jaw
• Extending his jaw forward (mild jaw jut)
• Flaring his Lips outward (aka a Lip Curl)

Donald Trump also often Lips slightly when he’s frightened. Did you hear it?

It’s crucial to differentiate Trump’s Fear-Lisp from the separate and distinct phenomenon when he lisps on occasions when his oral prosthesis temporarily loosens.

Moreover, when he’s in a fear-state, Trump’s mouth doesn’t open as widely as it typically does as he’s speaking (a pattern commonly seen in people in low confidence, high emotional discomfort, and fearful emotional states).

The pitch of Trump’s voice also grows higher with his fear — along with the speed of his speech.

Trump’s eyes (eyelids) also open wider when he’s frightened (This is an expected and common fear response). It’s more prominent on his left, as Trump’s right upper eyelid is droopy (underlying ptosis).

Although his eyebrows are lowered, Trump’s central forehead muscles are contracted and elevated (partially obscured by his hair). This is also a configuration common with fear.

Simultaneously, another part of this fear cluster — Trump leans forwards (at his waist) and rounds/hunches his shoulders as his upper arms adduct (pull inward toward midline).

Trump exemplified this above-described behavior cluster multiple times during his interview on Fox News.

SUMMARY: During Donald Trump’s interview aired last night with Bret Baier, the former President displayed significant fear with both his body language and paralanguage (Lisp of Fear, increased speed, higher pitch).

Why isn’t Body Language taught in Law School? Stop wingin’ it. If you’re an attorney, please contact me at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com to learn this crucial skill. Group, individual, in-person, and online instruction are all 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 many different contexts.

Body Language Analysis No. 4212: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Responds to Questions about President Trump's Tweet Regarding the FBI and the Florida School Shooting - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Tuesday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders held a press briefing. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial few seconds of this event when a journalist asked Ms. Sanders' to explain one of President Trump's recent tweets (included immediately below).

JOURNALIST (beginning at 5:00): ... First a clarification from some of the President's Tweets over the weekend. The President doesn't really think - that the FBI failed to stop the Parkland Shooter because it was - too involved with the Russia Investigation, does he?

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I, I, I think he was speaking, ahhhh, n-not necessarily that that is the, the, the cause - I think we all aaum have to be aware that the cause of - t-this is - that of a deranged individual, ah, that made a decision to take the lives of seventeen other people. Ahum, that is the responsibility of the shooter, ahum, certainly not the responsilibility [sic] of anybody else.

During 5:20, as Ms. Sanders says, "aaum" - she displays a simply classic Inward Lip Roll. Because of its brevity, this is also a borderline Microexpression.

An inward lip roll is a manifestation of our psyche trying to suppress the outward display - as well as the inward growth of an unwanted emotion.

The emotion/behavior Sarah Huckabee Sanders is trying to suppress is joy/laughter.

During the next approximately 1.2 seconds - as Ms. Sanders continues her sentence with "... have to be aware ...", we see her in various stages and configurations of a partially suppressed smile.

These are profound examples of what, in nonverbal parlance, is known as Duping Delight (Ekman).

Duping delight is one form of smiling out of context. The reason Ms. Sanders is partially smiling/partially suppressing her smile - is that the subconscious mind takes pleasure in fooling people (or believing that they're being fooled [duped]). Children exhibit this behavior frequently.

When comparing President Trump's tweet - with Ms. Sanders' attempt at explaining it - one can see that they're highly incongruous. Her answer cannot be reconciled - it's clear and demonstrable deception.

Ms. Sanders' paralanguage behavior is also noteworthy. She committed many stuttering displays. Her mispronunciation of "responsibility" as "responsilibility" [sic] - further betrays her anxiety. Ms. Sanders' word choice of "responsibility" in this context is also odd. Moreover, from a strict logic point of view, Ms. Sanders' simply did not answer the question.

Summary: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' lied in her answer to the journalist regarding President Trump's tweet. A word transcript alone verifies her duplicity. Her nonverbal and paralanguage displays are classic and indicative of deception. These signals are also textbook examples of duping delight and attempts at emotional suppression.


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


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4211: Donald Trump Feels The Need To Dial-up His Alpha

Body Language Analysis No. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4207: Stoneman Douglas High School shooting (Parkland, Florida), Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

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

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4158: Michelle Williams regarding Kevin Spacey - "All the Money in the World"

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4071: Fans' Reaction to Trauma - Young Girl Hit By Foul Ball at Yankee Stadium


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Body Language Analysis No. 4206: Mike Pence regarding John Kelly's Handling of Rob Porter - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Wednesday 14 February 2018, Vice President Pence was asked about John Kelly's handling of the trouble associated with Rob Porter. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of some specific moments of this exchange.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE (beginning at 0:01): Well this administration has no tolerance [deep exhalation] - for domestic violence - nor should any - American. And as I said, and as the White House has said, ah, ah, ah, I, I think the White House could have handled his better. And I still feel that way. And that being said, um [deep inhalation], any more counsel I have on this, I'll, I'll share with the President of the United States.

JOURNALIST: Are you a hundred percent confident that General Kelly has been fully honest and transparent in his explanation of Rob [inward lip roll] Porter's departure? 

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: [deep inhalation] Ω There are very few [high pitch/mild voice crack] Americans or American families - that have served this nation more honorably - or sacrificed more for this country - than the family of General John Kelly. John Kelly's service in uniform, his distinguished service, ah, at our Department of Homeland Security where we saw dramatic reduction of illegal crossings at our southern border [deep inhalation] and his distinguished service as Chief of Staff - ah, gives me and the President great confidence (1:08) - in this good man. And I want the American people to know - not just John Kelly [deep inhalation] but family members in uniform - here - and gone - have served this nation with a love, a patriotism, and a passion - that should inspire us all.

JOURNALIST: So it sounds like you think he should stay.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE:[deep inhalation] John Kelly, ah, has a remarkable job, (1:33) as Chief of Staff for President of the United States, ah, and, ah, I look, I look forward to continuing to work with him, ah, for many, many months to come. (1:40 - 1:44)

During 0:30 - 0:31, the Vice President exhibits a good example of an Inward Lip Roll just after the journalist says, "Are you a hundred percent confident that General Kelly has been fully honest and transparent ..."

An Inward Lip Roll (ILR) indicates the suppressing of strong emotions so that they won't crescendo internally - and so they won't be manifested outwardly.

During 0:33 (notated by the Ω symbol), just prior to answering the journalist, Mike Pence displays a classic expression of regret with the left corner of his mouth. Simultaneously, he is looking down and to his right - the quadrant of gaze commonly associated with deep emotional states - such as regret and sadness.

At multiple crucial times during his statement, Mike Pence shook his head in a side-to-side classic illustrator/gesture/head shaking signifying No - when this action contradicted his positive verbal statements such as:

"... gives me and the President great confidence (1:08) - in this good man ..."

"... John Kelly, ah, has a remarkable job, (1:33) as Chief of Staff for President of the United States..."

"... I look forward to continuing to work with him, ah, for many, many months to come." (1:40 - 1:44)

Additional paralanguage tells include:

• Multiple significant stuttering episodes
• Multiple deep inhalations/exhalations
• Voice cracking

Notice too, how the Vice President did not want to discuss the topics of Rob Porter or John Kelly - attempting to evade questions by saying, "And that being said, um [deep inhalation], any more counsel I have on this, I'll, I'll share with the President of the United States."

Moreover, and very tellingly, the Vice President simply did not answer the questions which were asked. 

Summary: Based on the Vice President's verbal, nonverbal, and paralanguage behavior exhibited in this video, Mike Pence believes that John Kelly was NOT being "... fully honest and transparent in his explanation of Rob Porter's departure". In addition, Pence's tells strongly suggests that Pence believes John Kelly will not be White House Chief of Staff much longer.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

Body Language Analysis No. 4203: Mikaela Shiffrin and the R2E2 Expression

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4199: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, and their "Mission Impossible" Helicopter Stunt

Body Language Analysis No. 4188: Donald Trump Gets Booed at Davos for Calling the Press "Fake"

Body Language Analysis No. 4164: Emmanuel Macron's Rapport Destroyer

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4097: Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, and a Tennis Tongue Tell

Body Language Analysis No. 4063: The Murder of Laci and Connor Peterson - Scott Peterson

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Body Language Analysis No. 4112: Donald Trump's Interview on Sharyl Attkisson's "Full Measure" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This week Sharyl Attkisson interviewed President Trump on her show, Full Measure. The twenty-one-second segment featured above is profoundly telling. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis - as well as an evaluation of the President's paralanguage.

SHARYL ATTKISSON: Do you think you would ever consider trying to have Mueller removed, or do you pledge to just stay out of that?

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well I hope he's treating everything fairly - and if he is, I'm going t' be very happy because - when you talk about innocent - I am truly - not - involved at any form of collusion with Russia, believe me. That's the last thing I can think of - to be involved in.
 

During 0:14, when the President says, "...  not - involved ...", his mouth momentarily takes on a configuration of fear. Due to its extreme brevity, this "Mouth of Fear" expression (immediately above) is also an example of a Microexpression.

As he says, "... believe me ..." (0:17), The President's mouth becomes dramatically asymmetrical, biased toward's his right side. Sudden asymmetrical (mouth) speaking is highly correlative with deception and false-bravado and is a colossal red flag.

Now go back to 0:11 - here is an example of a somewhat poorer resolution image because the camera angle used was at a greater distance at the precise moment of the President's maximum nonverbal display - however, watch it on full-screen mode - for it's another classic but rarely captured nonverbal moment.

When the President says the word, "... innocent ...", his mouth not only takes on another highly one-sided display - but he also projects a "Lip Curl". A Lip curl is a signal of sarcastic false bravado/hubris.

Taken on their own, Trump's body language behaviors are highly indicative of fear and deception - yet if we also evaluate his many paralanguage behaviors, this short video screams even louder.

Here are some Statement Analysis highlights:

1. President Trump didn't answer either of the two questions Sharyl Attkisson had asked.

2. The President's use of "I am truly - not - involved" suggests quite strongly that Trump acknowledges collusion is taking place - but the President's just claiming HE'S not involved in it. This is considerably different from saying, for example, "No collusion with Russian has ever occurred with me or my staff."

3. Use of the words, "I am not": Opting to not use a contraction when proclaiming one's innocence or refuting one's guilt is correlated with deception. In the context of this sentence, an innocent person would instead have a strong tendency to use the contraction, "I'm not".

4. Donald Trump's use of the words "... involved at ..." instead of, "... involved in ..." or "... involved with ..." is an indication of his anxiety and suggests these other scenarios occurred. 

5. Why is the President not proclaiming his innocence (a positive statement) rather than the denying perpetrating a crime (a variety of a double negative)? Innocent people will tend to tell you they're innocent, whereas guilty people will tend to tell you they're not guilty. This axiom stands out even more glaringly when Ms. Attkisson was asking an entirely different question.

6. The sentence, "That's the last thing I can think of - to be involved in.", is a sarcastic hyperbolic expression, but it suggests there are other things the President would like "to be involved in".

7. The use of the phrase, "Believe me" is highly correlative with the over-compensatory behavior of deception (and not coincidentally correlated with the above-noted mouth asymmetry).

8. The President commits a monumental Freudian slip when he calls himself "not" innocent in the answering of his own question:
Trump's question: "... when you talk about innocent (his proposed, [and never-asked] question)
Trump answering his own question: "... I am truly - not - involved at any form of collusion with Russia..." 

Furthermore, President Trump paused before and after saying the word "not" - because he realized, at some level, that he let the truth out. This is classically and clearly further evidenced nonverbally by his display of a "Mouth of Fear" as he says the word, "not" (see above).

An innocent person, if they posed such a question would tend to say, "When you talk about innocent - I am truly innocent" (and, moreover, without inserting/stutter with any pauses).

Summary: President Trump's nonverbal and paralanguage behavior both indicate he's lying when he says, "... when you talk about innocent - I am truly - not - involved at any form of collusion with Russia, believe me. That's the last thing I can think of - to be involved in."

The President is trying much too hard to convince us of his innocence. Such over-compensatory behavior as a signal of guilt which has been recognized throughout human history, and is wonderfully captured in Shakespeare's Hamlet, "The Lady doth protests too much, methinks" (and, not coincidentally, another play within a play).


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


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4111: Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, and a Kidney Transplant

Body Language Analysis No. 4109: John Kelly, Robert E. Lee, and the US Civil War

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4105: An interview with Sophia the Robot at the Future Investment Institute

Body Language Analysis No. 4082: Brother of Stephen Paddock (Las Vegas Shooter)

Body Language Analysis No. 4076: Roger Stone Speaks to the Press after House Intelligence Committee Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 4030: Charlottesville, Empathy, and One Expression Donald Trump Should Have Displayed

Body Language Analysis No. 4002: Justin Trudeau Meets His Namesake

Body Language Analysis No. 3956: Keri Russell's Tongue



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3368: Donald Trump, Insincerity and Starbucks - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

With respect to nonverbal communication, Donald Trump is a Christmas Tree strewn with gifts of teaching examples. Today he provided yet another classic moment of insincerity.

This year, Starbucks has chosen to decorate their seasonal coffee cups somewhat differently than in years past. In other holiday seasons they had put images of reindeer, snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees and ornaments on their cups. But this year the coffee chain's cups are bright red - with none of their past decorations. Although some have asserted that the words, "Merry Christmas" were removed - these words were never on the cups in previous years - only the some of the seasonal symbols.

Donald Trump (along with many others) have taken issue with their (erroneous) claim of removal of the greeting "Merry Christmas" from Starbucks' cups. Many other people have also said (in voice very similar to the post-heart-growth-version-of-the-Grinch), "Maybe Christmas he thought doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

In the above video, Donald Trump says, "Today I read - and I have Starbucks - they're my tenants. Did you read about Starbucks? No more 'Merry Christmas' on Starbucks. No more. [long pause] I wouldn't buy - Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself. I have one of the most successful Starbucks in Trump Tower. Maybe we should boycott Starbucks - I dunno. Seriously. I don't care. By the way, that's the end of that lease - but who cares? Who cares? WHO CARES? [long pause] But today a big story. That Scar [stutter] Starbucks is taking 'Merry Christmas' off - no more 'Merry Christmas'. I will tell you - lots of big things, lots of little things, you can call this anything you want - but if I become President, we're all going to be saying, 'Merry Christmas' again, that I can tell you. That I can tell you."

During the 0:12 - 0:15 segment, as Trumps says, "... Hey, look - I'm speaking against myself ..." - he places his hand over his sternum - but only his fingers touch - while the palm of his hand remains elevated of his chest (this nuance is best seen in the dynamic context of the video). This lack of palmar touch is very telling of a insincerity. Trump is not "speaking against" himself. On the contrary - he is very much speaking on his own behalf. Trump is of course, running for President - so such a boycott may very well aide his efforts to secure the Republican Nomination. And if he loses all affiliations he may have with Starbucks - that's a small sacrifice.

Notice also, Trump's stuttering when he begins to say, "Scar -" rather than "Starbucks". This misspeak is a very interesting example of paralanguage slip (Freudian slip) - and another signal betraying his ulterior motive.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3367: Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3202: FIFA's Jack Warner Cites 'The Onion' in His Own Defense

Analysis No. 2863: Gary Oldman's Apology on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" - Sincere or Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3363: Chris Christie's Viral Video - Why do even Democrats love it? - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A segment of Chris Christie's recent town hall style meeting in Belmont, N. H. has gone viral. And even Democrats like it. Why? - one reason is the subject matter. Many people from all walks of life, socioeconomic status and political ideologies agree with what the Governor Christie is saying here - that in the U.S., we must do some major rethinking for those in need of treatment for drug addiction.

Another reason Christie's speech struck a nerve is the fact that he shared very personal stories. The Governor spoke at length regarding his mother's addiction to nicotine and her subsequent death from lung cancer. The addiction of his law school friend and classmate to Percocet (Oxycodone combined with Acetaminophen) was particularly painful to listen to. Christie did an excellent job painting a story of this man's storybook successful life and then his profoundly sad downfall. The fact that these were personal stories with real people whom Christie had deep affection was translated into sincerity. And sincerity has a funny way of crossing partisan boundaries.

Sincerity is very often falsely ascribed when the opinion being expressed is in agreement with what we want to hear or believe. This phenomenon, among other things, is an example of what is known as "confirmation bias". Many other parameters influence our subjective experience when assessing for sincerity - these include factors such as our affection for the other person, their physical attractiveness, any financial benefit we may reap, if our employment depends on the outcome, etc. - it's a long list.

However in moments when we're closer to being objective beings, the feeling of sincerity is accurately sensed by most people if three key behaviors are in alignment - these are the verbal message, the nonverbal behavior and the paralanguage (vocal qualities). When all three of these are congruent - whether we agree with the opinion being expressed or not - we "feel" the other person's sincerity. In distinction, the next time you're listening or interacting with someone and something doesn't "feel" right - virtually always there is a significant disparity with these crucial three pillars of communication.

Gov. Christie's words (verbal content), his paralanguage (his tone, cadence, rhythm, volume, crescendo, decrescendo, etc.) and his nonverbal behavior were all in alignment during this speech. You may be a democrat, a republican or even Vladimir Putin - and you may even disagree with his opinion here - yet you should get a very high feeling of sincerity from this speech by Chris Christie.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3362: Marco Rubio and Alleged Misuse of State Party Credit Card

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3233: Chris Christie formally enters the 2016 Presidential Race - What about his Body Language? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3278: Chris Christie's Feeling Weak in the Knees - Body Language and The Republican Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2951: Miss America 2015 - Sincerity, Surprise and Botox

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2911: Becky Hammon Part II - Blushing & a High Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1905:  Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3336: Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Deception and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

When evaluating for possible deception there are a multitude of characteristics - nonverbal, verbal and paralanguage which are often overlooked - and indeed relatively rarely known. While not alone in these qualities, particularly among politicians, Donald Trump displaces many of these on a regular basis. The following are four common characteristics of possible deception which are scarcely discussed. 

1. Low Verbal Variation: Donald Trump, in his public appearances - both political and in settings from years past, has used and continues to use a vocabulary equivalent to that of a 3rd or 4th grader. This has been measured by linguists using widely accepted algorithms. Such limited vocabulary enables a person to lie easier. When you don't have think as hard (or speak in depth) - it enables more "brain power" for lying.

2. Low Nonverbal Variation: Mr. Trump's body language is very similar to his verbal vocabulary - in that it has a limited in variety of expression. A good fraction of Mr. Trump's face and body movements chronically exhibit what amounts to "nonverbal monotone". His hands, arms, face, etc. default to his limited cliché body language repertoire. Thus when he does tell a lie, it is relatively easy (compared to most other people) to force himself into an autonomous nonverbal behavioral subroutine - much like an athlete who has good form despite being tired or stressed (sometimes colloquially referred to as "muscle memory"). Unlike the athlete however, this somewhat analogous physical behavior is used to deceive rather than to win at a sporting event.

3. Hyperbolic Nonverbals: Some who read this may know of the phenomenon where a person may "put on" a behavioral neutral "mask" - or "stone face" or "poker face" in the midst of a deception (or for a longer period such as in a courtroom/trial). This is one behavioral signal of possible deception. Yet the opposite is also true - those who always/often/contextually display extreme nonverbal behaviors - which, when compared to the vast majority of others in similar situations - are significantly out of proportion to the social context - are also often lying.

Call into your memory a classroom theatrical production from 7th grade. Remember those grandiose facial expressions and dramatic hand/arm/body language displays? These are very commonplace and even somewhat encouraged because of the physical distance the actors are typically from an audience. Mr. Trump chronically displays similar dramatic nonverbal signals. These extreme amplitudes of body language behavior also cloak deception. An analogy would be using a lot sweet "chaser" after (or before or during) the taking of bitter medicine. The extreme body language covers up the deceptive tells that would otherwise be visible - allowing the liar to dilute his poison.

4. Paralanguage Variation: Much like low variability of the spoken word language as well as body language, paralanguage which is monotonous may also be suspect - especially when it's extreme. Mr. Trump often talks louder and even shouts when most people in similar contexts would speak with considerably lower volume. Many have pointed out his "tone-of-voice" and his tendency to project negative qualities with it (arrogance, impatience, condescending emotions, etc.). While a nuance behavior to some (and perhaps even [erroneously] perceived to be nonexistent by others) - it's very possible to project strength without anger - and empathy without weakness. Chronically higher volume and angry tones (and other vocal qualities) - when out of context - are also signals of deception and ulterior motives.
 
It's important to stress that these are by no means the only signals of possible deception - they are however rarely recognized. Take heed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3335: The Presidential Race, Electability, Facial Hair and Ben Carson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3271: Donald Trump, Smiling out of Context and Running as an Independent

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3281: Donald Trump on "Meet The Press" - Who Does He Talk to for Military Advice? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin - Deception regarding Crimea 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3181: Cristiano Ronaldo defends Japanese boy on TV - Body Language of Deception 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3019: Bill Cosby, Rape Allegations, AP Interview 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2763: Richard Nixon, My Lai Massacre - Conscious and Subconscious Body Language Display

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3293: Why is Donald Trump a Better Liar than Most Politicians? - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

All politicians lie. No political affiliation is exempt. Some are fibs and some are whoppers. And Donald Trump doesn't necessarily tell lies of greater magnitude or with more frequency versus other politicians - yet he is a more skilled liar than most of them. This superior ability to deceive is one of the factors which convince some of the electorate that he is more truthful - however he's far from it.

Trump's vocabulary is equivalent to a 3rd-to-4th grader's. This is not hyperbole - for his word usage has been evaluated by linguists. He uses smaller words, shorter sentences and less total words. His pattern of speaking is equivalent to a collection of clichés (very common for most all politicians - but more frequent with Trump). And clichés - even one-word clichés require significantly less mental processing (which is also true of the use of shorter words and shorter sentences). Of profound importance here is cliché frequency - which is directly proportional to the level of INsincerity (more frequent use of clichés indicates greater INsincerity - while less cliché usage equals more sincerity).

Donald Trump's paralanguage (vocal qualities) also have significantly less variety compared to many people. His volume is high and forceful - and his tone of voice is low. The cadence, rhythm and pitch also have very little variation.

Trump also has a strong tendency to emphasize words that are not the most important word in the sentence - e.g. "The", "of", etc. This is a very strong indicator of manipulation and insincerity and is very rarely appreciated. Many politicians and other "leaders" fall into this speech pattern when deception is present.

Donald Trump's body language also fits this same pattern of low diversity. He uses many of the same arm-hand gestures and the same facial expressions - time after time. In addition, as has been discussed in earlier posts, Trump's nonverbal signals are also significantly more hyperbolic - with melodrama and are often disproportionate to his spoke words.

Whenever the communication triad of body language, spoken language and paralanguage - all take on a pattern of low variation - there is an extremely high probability deception is taking place. Moreover - when extreme words/statements are used, with higher volumes and hyper-gesticulated extreme body language - this is also highly consistent with lying. Donald Trump routinely and repetitively fits all six of these patterns (as well as the emphasis of low-importance words). By his chronic use of these displays - which are all correlated with high-adrenaline, he is essentially drowning-out the other signals associated with INsincerity. This over-kill approach is a form of a smokescreen and has both conscious and subconscious components.


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. 3292: Empathy, Yawning and Dogs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3250: Donald Trump regarding John McCain: "He's no hero" - Body Language Tells us what he really thinks

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3257: Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico Border - Body Language of a Hyper-Alpha 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3179: Post-Wells' Report - Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In response to numerous inquires regarding the long-awaited "Wells Report", this is a re-post of the original analysis published on 22 and 24 January 2015. The Wells report, in part stated, “Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady (the quarterback for the Patriots) was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities… involving the release of air from Patriots game balls ....”

This result, while perhaps hampered by technical limitations, seems to be worded with significant wiggle room for the Patriots' QB. Anyone with experience evaluating nonverbal behavior, paralanguage or statement analysis reached a more definitive conclusion in January.

Deflategate. Say it ain't so Tom.

Reporter: "So can you answer right now, is Tom Brady a cheater?"

Brady: [Insincere smile, suppressed smile, swaying back and forth on feet, insincere laughter, inward lip roll, hands touch], "I don't believe so...."

0:03

Asymmetrical mouth smiling is often (but not always) insincere (do you know the exceptions and how to spot them?) If we look at the rest of his face though - there are no signals of sincerity. Any mouth smiling in this context (albeit insincere) is VERY out of context.

0:04

Extended Blinking

Rocking back and forth on feet

0:06

Insincere Laughter

Suppressed Smile

Rocking back and forth on feet - high anxiety

Blushing - in this context highly consistent with deception

0:07

Inward Lip Roll (ILR)

The inward lip roll is seen when emotions stray far from baseline. He is not angry here, he is not sad, he is not feeling contempt, nor disgust. Tom Brady is nervous, very nervous. The ILR is a mechanism whereby he is suppressing his anxiety. It took about 3 seconds - an eternity when asking such an important and spot-lighted question is asked - for him to answer. And his answer was not at all consistent with truth. 

And although we cannot see his hands - by the motion of his arms we can tell that Brady hand-held at this moment - simultaneously with this inward lip roll.

From a paralanguage standpoint - his answer of, "I don't believe so ...." is such an insanely red hot deception example, statement analysis experts will be using this video as a classic for generations. This alone convicts him.

Brady's hat-wearing was clownish and also out-of-context. The hat served as a Psuedo-mask - and although it did not cover his face, it made him FEEL a bit like it, therefore allowing him to deflect a bit of attention away from his face - making the lying easier to initiate. (Intriguingly, in this context, the hat functions much like a very high witness box in a trial/court - covering all but a witnesses head).

Brady's statement, "This isn't ISIS, no one's dying" - was so emotionally out-of-context and disrespectful to the millions suffering and who will suffer (including two Japanese citizen's whom are currently threatened with beheading) - and was also said with a partially suppressed smile - (thus a form of duping delight) - this extreme level of patronizing behavior indicates a 10 out of 10 level of narcissism - and ironically, these negative behaviors are used to cloak another abhorrent activity - that of lying. The smiling out of context as well as the verbal statement were both, like his hat-wearing, a form of camouflage and deflection (e.g. trying to hide in plain sight).

Tom Brady Lied. He may not have deflated the footballs himself - but he had knowledge of it and probably orchestrated it.


24 January Re-post:

Tom Brady - The Return of The Lie.

In this second clip of the New England Patriots' quarterback's press conference from this past Thursday, we can see many more examples of nonverbal behavior indicative of deception. As mentioned in a previous post on this same appearance, in the future this video will be held up a text-book example of the body language of lying. What follows is a partial analysis.

1:36

Microexpression of Fear
(Mouth and Neck)

".... I think, ah, the main thing for the last couple days - trying to figure out ya know, what happened .... [microexpression - fear mouth at 1:36]".

(Overlapped continuation from above)

" .... out ya know, what happened ....  .... like I said, I [then a second Microexpression of fear - mouth at 1:37] you know it's, I, I sur, I was as surprised as anyone when I heard Monday morning what was happening, ummm ...." Both of these microexpression of fear are partial and subtle - thus best appreciated within the dynamic context of video (and even on slow motion).

Tongue Jut (aka Lizard Tongue)

(Overlapped continuation from above)

" .... when I heard Monday morning what was happening, ummm ...."
[1:43 Tongue Jut]

A tongue jut in this cluster context indicates: "I've been bad" or "I've been caught".

 
Think of the Tongue Jut as a form of self-deprecation in the midst of a lie.

"... You know, obviously, the NFL would like to figure out what happened in this situation [another Tongue Jut / Lizard Tongue at 2:26] ummm ...."

Again this is Brady's psyche calling itself out essentially saying, "I've been bad" or "I've been caught".

(Overlapped continuation from above)

 ".... ummm... you know I try and keep everything in perspective so .... I'm happy that we have an opportunity to play in the next game and ...."

Most notably here, at 2:31 (during the word "... opportunity ..."), we see both a Suppressed Smile of Duping Delight and Blushing - in this context highly indicative of deception.

3:27

(Partially) Suppressed Smile of Duping Delight

A reporter continues about the fact that the NFL had not yet questioned Brady,
"... You know it's odd that they haven't - at this point - you know - you're the quarterback and the center of the story right now - and the leagues' officials investigating haven't talked to - you indicates to a lot of people that they're letting this drag and twist in the wind."

Brady: "I'm not sure."

Another reporter: "Have you been told whether they will - to talk to you?"

Brady: "I'm not sure." This answer makes no sense - it's simply not a logical response to this question. It reminds many of a politician's answer when trying to dodge answering a question. Either his anxiety is excessive (e.g. he doesn't perceive the question as it was asked) - or he deliberately is re-iterating an evasive response.

Conclusion: Tom Brady is lying about his knowledge of the footballs in question being deliberately deflated. He is the only one who would have, at least in part, orchestrated such an act. While Brady is certainly no Oscar-worthy performer - he can play quarterback rather well.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3178: Garland, Texas Gunmen - Elton Simpson, Nadir Soofi, Contempt and Body Language Warning Signals

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3077: Caroline Wozniacki & Rory McIlroy - One Reason Why Relationships Fail - and an Important Warning Sign

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3076: 2015 State of the Union Address, Barack Obama, John Boehner and a Microexpression of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2400:  One Way Deception Could be Minimized in the Court Room -  O.J. Simpson's in Court

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2033:  Lie Detection, Russia, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2581: Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford and a Body Language of Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2342:  Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel  What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2612: Chris Christie 'Calls a Spade a Spade' (Well … Almost) - Body Language of the 2016 Republican Presidential Hopeful

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2996: Daniel Radcliffe Raps Blackalicious' "Alphabet Aerobics" on Tonight Show/Jimmy Fallon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3061: Jimmy Fallon Blew a Chance to Date Nicole Kidman


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