Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4763: Donald Trump's bizarre and predatory behavior (that you probably didn't notice) during the debate handshake with VP Kamala Harris – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

There were multitudes of body language displays – as well as verbal and paralanguage behaviors – exhibited during their first handshake. One behavior in particular exhibited by Donald Trump during his handshake with Vice President Harris that was especially bizarre – did you see it?

The image shown above shows a wide-angle view of the behavior in question. 

... and here's a close-up of that same moment:

Donald Trump's right index finger is extended up onto the inside (volar aspect) of Vice President Harris' wrist. It's not gripping her hand as is the universal custom around the world.

When, upon meeting someone, we extend our hand, it's a form of implied consent (i.e., I'm extending my hand in an invitation of greeting in hopes [and expectation] that you extend yours, so that we may shake hands).

And although, in certain cultures and contexts there are exceptions, in most all countries and in most all contexts throughout the world, the implied consent by a handshake does not give further consent to other bodily touching.

Donald Trump extended his finger up Vice President Kamala Harris' wrist (between the cuff of her shirt and the cuff of her jacket) as a deliberate, invasive, predatory, and sexual innuendo – in an attempt to intimidate and unnerve the Vice President.

Regardless of the other oddities of this handshake (see below), this particular invasive touching is not a component of a normal or acceptable handshake by any stretch of the imagination.

Had the Vice President been wearing a shorter sleeve – or had she not been wearing a non-flexible bracelet, it would have allowed Trump to be even more invasive by touching further down the skin of her wrist.   

The wrist is a particularly sensitive area and a body part that should not be touched without consent.

The index finger on the dominant hand (Trump's right hand and, of course, the shaking hand by convention) is the most powerful digit on either hand. 

Moreover, the significance of an extended index finger as a phallic symbol in this context is entirely deliberate. And although it's certainly not sexual assault, it's absolutely intended to intimidate and make Vice President Harris feel violated. It is predatory.

If ever you've been on the receiving end of this variety of invasive handshake, you'll probably remember feeling creeped-out.

So while consent to touching the other person's hand in the context of a handshake is, of course, implied and expected – touching them in other places is not. In some countries and situations, there are exceptions, but this was certainly not one of them.

By Trump breaking this norm in this way gives him plausible deniability for violating personal space, trying to intimidate, and predatory behavior.

Now zoom-out and look at the relative positions of Trump's and Harris' hands and arms relative to their torsos. Trump virtually always pulls women's hands both upward and close to his upper torso/lower chest during handshakes:

Men who consistently shake other men's hands with this in-pulling and/or up-pulling are narcissistic and manipulative...

... And men who shake women's hands using this dynamic are not only narcissistic and manipulative – they're also misogynistic, objectifying the women, and have a predilection of violence toward women.

As has been widely pointed out, Trump did not anticipate a handshake from the Vice President, caught off-guard he hesitated, slowing his approach onto the stage, and was trying to decide whether to shake hands in front of or behind his lectern.
 

 

His hesitation (possibly momentary disorientation) was classic low confidence behavior – which further primed Trump toward a state of emotional discomfort.

There are some who might say that by walking slowly, Trump forced Harris into a subordinate position – necessitating her to approach him. This is incorrect.

In this context, Harris' pace, energy, and early start on stage exemplified Harris' energy and initiative – in a word: Presidential.

Vice President Harris also spoke first – introducing herself with a confident and assertive tone as well as with proper volume saying, "Kamala Harris. Let's have a good debate", while Trump mumbled, "Nice to see ya [sic]. Have fun." Harris answered back, "Thank you."

While there are exceptions, in the vast majority of situations, and certainly in a debate scenario, if you want to project authority and confidence (i.e., be presidential), initiate the handshake – and introduce yourself. Donald Trump did neither of these.

Trump physically hesitated, mumbled, and took refuge behind his lectern.

And you've probably heard – until the debate, these two had never met (Note: because Donald Trump chose not to attend the 2020 Presidential Inauguration).

SUMMARY:  Donald Trump, directed his index finger down-the-wrist of VP Kamala Harris. This was a sexual innuendo. This was predatory. It was an invasive and deliberate attempt to unnerve and intimidate the Vice President. It didn't work.

Trump's standard handshake MO of pulling a woman's hand-arm both disproportionately toward him as well as upward indicates his:

• Narcissism
• Manipulative personality

• Misogyny
• Objectification of women
• Predilection of violence toward women

Trump was caught off-guard by Harris' approach, strength, assertiveness, and authority. She was presidential and he was not. He hesitated, walked slowly, retreated behind his lectern, mumbled, spoke with low-volume, and never introduced himself. ...

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

Ω

Body Language Analysis №4709: An example of Lecherous and Predatory behavior - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

 

The faces of the two individuals in this image are deliberately blocked out — but they will be revealed toward the end of this analysis. 

Please wait to identify them, as this will serve to drive home the details (and solidify your long-term memory) of their body language behavior on display here.

 

 

Note that the woman’s right hand (our left) is configured partially clenched. And although we cannot discern with complete certainty, there’s a high probability that her fingers are also wedged beneath her right upper thigh.

This particular nonverbal component screams with emotional discomfort and an effort to protect herself. It signals that her entire lower abdomen, her gluteal muscles, and her pelvic floor are tightened in response to her anxiety regarding his proximity, touch, and intentions. 

She’s psychologically distancing herself from him. It’s obvious that he’s making sexual advancements — and the thought of sexual activity with him is causing her considerable anxiety and a desire to protect herself.

 

 

Don’t let the loose, hanging configuration of his right hand mislead you — with his right arm, shoulder, a substantial portion of his torso, and his head/neck behind her — this is a man who wants to control (and who’s accustomed to being in control).

 

 

He’s also right-hand dominant (note the trace view of the watch on his left wrist, giving us a 99% certainty he’s right-handed).

While in many scenarios, an arm around someone signals affection, in this context, based on the other body language signals, here it’s a sign of his perceived ownership of her.

 

 

Look at his left hand — he’s holding her left wrist. Particularly in the context of their other body language behaviors, here this wrist-holding is a particular red flag — a further signal of his dominance and control.

 

 

Her legs are crossed away from him. If she had affection toward him or if she were interested in sexual intimacy with him, her legs would be crossed in the opposite manner — with her right leg over her left leg — and they would both be pointing in his direction.

Moreover, in that alternative universe, her hips and torso would also be rotated toward him, rather rotated modestly away from her “date”.

Notice also, the placement of her left hand. She’s protecting against his touch and his sexual access. 

 

 

Surprise! (or not) — it’s Donald Trump and Melania. This image is no doubt, at least two decades or more old, but it is dramatic. She wants nothing to do with him in this moment.

 

 

His face (and mouth) are fairly close to her head and her left ear. If we don’t like someone (or are angry at them, not attracted to them, fear them, etc.), we are emotionally uncomfortable with their head close to ours.

This very well could have been a noisy environment, but if a person with whom we’re ill-at-ease is speaking closely into our ear, it’s particularly anxiety-provoking.

 

 

Melania’s lower eyelids are in significant tension. Her head, neck, and eye, in this moment, are turned away from him.

While Melania’s face is not neutral, contrast the less dramatic expression on her face compared with tells displayed by the rest of her body. 

While, with considerable effort, the effectiveness of suppressing one’s facial expressions may be successful in any given moment, the remainder of the body will tell the true story.

 

 

Of interest is the way Donald Trump is crossing his legs — he hasn’t crossed them in this manner in at least eight years. One knee directly over the other is rather physically uncomfortable for most people.

Donald Trump is able to maintain this atypical leg crossing only because of his backward lean in conjunction with his right turning and right-tilting of his torso.

SUMMARY: In this image of Donald and Melania Trump, she not only displayed zero affection toward him — but she was trying to physically protect herself from his advances. 

With high probably, Melania was experiencing fear. Her hand beneath her upper thigh, in this context, is a profound tell. 

Donald Trump is trying to gain access to areas of Melania that she doesn’t want him to touch. His holding of her wrist in this context is particularly indicative of his desire for control — and that he was (and still is) accustomed to physically controlling women.

All individuals, businesses, or organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills — and all professionals who want to nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence, please contact me via my email: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

Ω

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.

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night, during the second Presidential Debate of 2016, Donald Trump repeatedly make  tremendous nonverbal mistakes - which surely he had been specifically warned against committing.

Again and again Mr. Trump followed Hillary Clinton around the debate floor and invaded her personal space. Moreover, for extended periods of time he stood close behind her - which is particularly aggressive.

With the exception of the athletic field, in any most any setting professional and social setting - and certainly in the context of a debate such behavior is predatory. Watch this video with the sound off - and it will jump at you to an even greater degree.

From a purely strategic, "how-can-I-get-more-votes" point of view, Donald Trump also made a profound mistake with this aggressive, hyper-alpha stalking nonverbal behavior: for while it solidified his die-hard base, it served to repel the undecided voters.

Question: If you were at a party or public gathering, what would you think if a man was behaving in this same manner? Answer: You would accurately access this as threatening behavior.

Recall that Rick Lazio made the same mistake against Hillary Clinton in the 2000 New York U.S. Senate race.

Sixteen years ago, Al Gore famously encroached into George W. Bush's personal space as well. 

Summary: Donald Trump exhibited predatory body language last night in the second Presidential Debate with his stalking-like behavior and repeated invasion of Hillary Clinton's personal space - which will result in him losing a substantial percentage of swing voters.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3719: Donald Trump's "Apology" - Crisis Management, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3715: Mike Pence Denies Saying Vladimir Putin is a Better Leader

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3712: Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle - "You're No Jack Kennedy"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3710: Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte Compares Himself With Hitler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3704: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Presidential Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3692: Donald Trump Gets Interrupted by Pastor in Flint, Michigan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3648: Hillary Clinton, “I may have short-circuited”


This website serve as reference sources for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed here 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 – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 335: What does "Eye Contact" really mean?

When it comes to Body Language/Nonverbal Communication, people often ask, "Does eye contact mean I have to look the other person directly in the eye all the time?" (or some variation thereof). The short answer to this is definitely "NO". Here's the long answer: If you look directly into one eye - or switch back and forth between eyes, this is too intense and is almost always is interpreted (depending on the other signals and context) as either predatory, anger, sexual attraction or deception (lie detection). But take heed - liars may also go the complete opposite route and totally avoid eye contact though. 

So if you're feeling none of the above emotions and you're participating in healthy conversation, "eye contact" should effectively mean looking semi-randomly around the area outlined above on the lovely Keira Knightley's face. I say "semi-randomly, because you gaze should briefly fixate on one of their eyes and then very quickly (and very briefly) fixate on some other portion of their face within this ellipse - and then return to the same or opposite eye. All this time you never want to fixate on one area too long or too intently. We all behave this naturally when we have good rapport during natural conversation. 

Having defined "eye contact" as sometimes not looking at the eyes, but close to them - may seem contradictory, but this is what we do during healthy conversation. We should have eye contact (as defined above) between 40 and 70 percent of the time during conversation - and closer to 70 percent if we want to gain or maintain superior rapport.

______________________________________________________________________________________