Body Language Analysis No. 4265: Donald Trump regarding Mike Pompeo's Chances of Being Confirmed as Secretary of State - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Wednesday 18 April, President Trump continued trying to publicly sway Rand Paul into voting for the confirmation of Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State. Rand Paul, the junior senator from Kentucky - is a Republican (although libertarian-minded) and is on-record, openly opposing Pompeo for this position.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the video above.

President Trump (beginning at 0:04): I think ah - I think Mike Pompeo is - extraordinary. He was number one at West Point. He was top at Harvard. Ah - he's a great gentleman. Ah, I think he'll go down as truly a great Secretary of State. I will say this about Rand Paul  - he's never let me down. Rand Paul - is a very special guy, as far as I'm concerned - he's never let me down. And Ω I don't think he'll let us down again. So, let's see what happens. If you remember, he voted for healthcare - annnd he did us a big favor - it was somebody else that voted against it - that hurt us...

In this moment (0:22), acting Secretary of State - John J. Sullivan initiates this nose rub/eye rub display just after President Trump says, "... I will say this about Rand Paul ..."

By far, the most common reason we touch our faces' is anxiety. There's no doubt Acting Secretary Sullivan's face was itching - but the reason it was itching was (secondary to the release of a neurotransmitter known as 'Natriuretic Polypeptide b' [Nppb]) due to his anxiety regarding his anticipation of what the President was about to say regarding Rand Paul.

More specifically, when a person performs such a nose rub/nose scratch/eyelid rub in this context (listening to a person make a declarative statement in a meeting/conversation), there's a very high probability that they believe they're detecting deception (e.g., that John Sullivan does not believe Donald Trump).

This next image - from 0:23 - shows Mike Pence displaying a One-Sided Smile - while the opposite corner of his mouth is down-turned. Such an Asymmetric Smile projects a Duplicitous emotional tone.

In addition, the left side of Pence's mid-face is also projecting Contempt.

Throughout much of this video - and indeed most all of his public appearances, Vice President Pence is in this near-constant expression of his (such behavior is often referred to as a "Living Mask").

Notice at this same moment that Larry Kudlow is unable to hold still - simultaneously readjusting himself in his chair - lifting his butt off the chair (literally known as a "Butt Adjustment"). We've all done this at meetings during moments anxiety - which is exactly what the Director of the National Economic Council is experiencing. He believes the President just told a lie.

During 0:24, as Larry Kudlow flips the distal portion of his necktie in this example of a MAP surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - he shows us another classic display of anxiety. More specifically, this telegraphs a need for - and an attempt at - Alpha Up-regulation. This Tie-Flipping dynamic is seen primarily in men who already have alpha personalities - but who find themselves in beta moments.

A useful metaphor here is to think of this as a signal of emotionally 'stepping up to the plate' - trying to summon one's courage during mini-moments of sudden anxiety.

During 0:26 - 0:32, Mr. Kudlow then displays a more common variation on this same theme - he's feeling the need for Dialing-up His Alpha Emotions. Here Kudlow shows an example of the False Tie Adjustment. Because this anatomically higher, involving the knot of the tie - it's a substitute for rubbing and/or grabbing the neck - and, correspondingly, represents an even higher level of Anxiety.

During 0:36 - 0:37, we see John Bolton adjusting his glasses. Why did the National Security Advisor feel the need to perform this maneuver at this moment? While it's also an anxiety display - this nonverbal signal is a surrogate for an eye rub. Mr. Bolton does not believe the President's (feigned) public optimism regarding Rand Paul voting for Mike Pompeo's confirmation.

Now go back a moment to 0:30, just before President Trump says, "... I don't think he'll let us down again ..." - he makes this classic facial expression of Sarcastic Regret/Sarcastic Doubt (notated above with the Ω symbol).

Summary: President Trump, John Sullivan, John Bolton, and Larry Kudlow all have strong doubts/disbelief that Mike Pompeo will receive Rand Paul's vote for confirmation as Secretary of State.

In this video, however, we can't make this same conclusion with respect to the Vice President - as Mike Pence is 'wearing' one of his near-constant 'Living Masks'.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4264: Criminal Profiling • Sketch of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) Over Her Affair with Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4262: Wendy Vitter, the U.S. District Court, and Brown v. Board of Education

Body Language Analysis No. 4260: James Comey on Good Morning America re: Trump, Russia, and the Steele Dossier

Body Language Analysis No. 4258: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' reaction to the question: "Has the President at Any Time thought about Stepping Down?"

Body Language Analysis No. 4242: Cambridge Analytica, Alexander Nix, and Deception (Part II)

Body Language Analysis No. 4193: Hope Hicks, Sexual Attraction, Armpits, and Elbows

Body Language Analysis No. 4181: Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, "Verbal Sexual" Harassment, and NBC

Body Language Analysis No. 4155: Luis Elizondo Interview - Former Military Intelligence Official Who Ran AATIP (The Pentagon's Secret UFO Unit)

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

At the Republican Debate last Thursday, Chris Christie and Rand Paul sparred on issue of balancing national security vs. American civil liberties. Mr. Paul didn't like it when Mr. Christie made his Senate Subcommittee responsibility sounded like he was playing in a sandbox. And the New Jersey Governor didn't like it when the Kentucky Senator reminded the American voters of him hugging President Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Between the two of them however, Chris Christie is much less skilled at camouflaging his anger.

The image below was captured at the 3:01 mark just after Paul references Christie and Obama embracing. Although the resolution is not optimal here, this cluster of nonverbal signs is easily seen:

• Inner (medial) eyebrows directed downward
• Partial closure of the eyelids
• Lower lid tension
• Flaring of the nostril
• Tense "mustache area"
• Evanescent thinning of the lips
• Horizontal configuration of the lips
• Clenching of the Jaw and its muscles (An excellent example displayed a second earlier at 3:00)

Going a step further, the ability to recognize the nuances of one's own anger signals - as anger crescendos (and hopefully very early in this process) - then responding by modifying the nonverbal response - is of profound practical value - for it is truly a form of biofeedback. Those who are skilled at this use their emotions to their advantage - rather than reacting to them. It puts them in the driver's seat.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3273: Marco Rubio, The Republican Debate, Monotonous Body Language and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2674: Did Chris Christie Orchestrate Bridge Closure or Cover Up His Subordinates Actions? Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2676: Nancy Pelosi, Chris Christie, Bling and a Handkerchief 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2174:  President Obama, Hurricane Sandy,  Body Language and Thumbs Backwards Arms Akimbo

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3150: Rand Paul Announces His Candidacy for Presidency of United States - Body Language Truth Check 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3150: Rand Paul Announces His Candidacy for Presidency of United States - Body Language Truth Check (VIDEO, PHOTO)

The vast majority of higher level politicians are very practiced when it comes to NOT touching their faces during conversations, negotiations, interviews and speeches. And yet the large bulk of these same politicians are not nearly as skilled as they believe.

Today Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced his 2016 candidacy for Presidency of the United States. If you watched his speech (which by most accounts was a fairly good one), did you catch how many times he touched his face? .... or how many times YOU touched your face during your last conversation?

Beginning at 17:07 Senator Paul continues, "... Without question we must defend ourselves and American interests from our enemies ... but until we NAME the enemy we can't win the war .... (long applause, then he rubs his left eyebrow with his left index finger [aka forefinger] at 17:25) ..... The enemy is radical Islam - you can't get around it ..."

When a unilateral eye or eyebrow rub is displayed - usually during or just prior to a statement, but sometimes afterwards - there is a very high likelihood that a lie is about to be told, is being said - or has just been spoken.

How many times does Rand Paul touch his face or neck during this particular speech?

Perhaps Senator Paul believes those who belong to the groups he terms, "radical Islam" are indeed a threat - but this threat is greatly exaggerated. Or maybe he believes that those who he calls radical Islamic - are radical yes - but not truly Islamic (however he may believe that this will get him the numbers he needs for the republican nomination). Paul may believe that our greatest threat comes from Russia ... Or from within our own borders. It would helpful to ask him a series of questions in an interview style to flesh-out the details of these thought-emotions further - but you can be sure this Presidential candidate just told a fib.

What other body language signal did Senator Paul show (and that's clustered with the eye rub) which indicates deception?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3149: Edward Snowden on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Government Surveillance (HBO) - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner - Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3072: Alison Lundergan Grimes - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

Early on Alison Lundergran Grimes had many pundits smelling an upset. She made what many felt was a good run at Mitch McConnell's Senate seat - yet Kentucky's Secretary of State eventually lost to her Republican opponent Mitch McConnell last November by 15 percentage points.

A week before Christmas she was back in the news though. Ms. Lundergan Grimes threatened to take Sen. Rand Paul to court should he attempt to run for both re-election and the U.S. Presidency in 2016.

“The law is clear, you can’t be on the ballot twice for two offices,” said Grimes.

In this image moment, Ms. Lundergan Grimes is expressing two main emotions. Her primary emotion is that of disgust (tightening of her mid-face, flared nostrils, laterally-vectored false mouth smile). Her secondary emotion is incredulity (entire width of her forehead contracted and elevated along with her eyebrows - as well as widely opened eyelids and her head/neck/torso mostly away from the person(s) of her attention). This cluster-context also fits within the more generalized category of significant critical evaluation (overlapping both disgust and disbelief).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3071: Twins Come Out to Dad - The Rhodes Bros - Body Language of Mirroring

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2246:  Harry Reid vs. Mitch McConnell on the Senate Floor -  Their Body Language Betrays How they Feel about  Probability of Fiscal Cliff Deal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3002: How NOT to sit in the Oval Office - Mitch McConnell ... your Beta is Showing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2597: Chris Christie's Body Language Tell Regarding Obamacare

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016 (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Senator Rand Paul (R-TN) recently visited the College of Charleston. To anyone with any doubts - he IS running for President in 2016 .... And he has a "Plan A" & a "Plan B".

This image is captured during the 0:23 segment just after he says,
"I'm not opposed to ...... birth control." 

His facial expression tells us that he regrets saying this. We don't know whether the reason for his regret is because he is really morally opposed to birth control - or whether he believes by saying so out loud will hurt his chances for the Oval Office - but he is experiencing regret in this moment.

This image is from 1:25. It occurs during the first part of the sentence - but disappears when he finds out the full nature of the question.

When Peter Hamby asks, "Do you think the Republican Party can survive and adapt if .....", we see Paul's mouth in a configuration known as a "Forward Lip Purse". This indicates either a clandestine disagreement - or, as it shows here, a clandestine plan. Furthermore it tells us that he believes he has a good chance of executing his plan successfully. The forward lip purse indicates a large disparity between what is said aloud and what is thought-felt.

With a very high degree of confidence, this body language moment tells us that if Rand Paul does not win the Republican Nomination for President in 2016 he will run as an independent (or libertarian). This will, of course, as was the case in 1992 and in 1912, split the ticket - and Hillary Clinton will have an easy victory.

This image about 0.5 seconds later shows a close-up of the
Forward Lip Purse.

At 1:40, after Mr. Hamby asks, "And you could re-think it at some point too?" (his stance on same-sex marriage), we see Bilateral Prolonged Lid Closure - which in this context telegraphs disgust followed by contempt.

A second later at 1:41, Paul Shrugs (of which there are many variations) - indicating, "I don't care", "I don't know", or "What does it matter?"

Yet, if we look further we see that the Senator's mouth has nonverbal elements of both contempt and regret while his eyes still display contempt.



Thus, with a high degree of confidence, we glimpse into the playbook of Paul's Presidential plans for 2016. If he does not win the Republican nomination he will run as a third party candidate and Mrs. Clinton will coast to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2972: Rachel Respess, Destrehan High School Teacher Arrested and Smiling Incongruent with Emotional Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2946: Barack Obama's 10 September 2014 ISIS Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2927: Barack Obama regarding ISIS/ISIL - Atypical for the President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2641: John McCain with Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine - You Feel Safe There?

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2179:  Mitt Romney & Barack Obama -  Sincere Hugs and True Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It is no big surprise that Rand Paul wants the Oval Office in 2016. And whether it's the Republican nomination - or the Presidential election, those who love him will vote for him and the electorate who despises him will vote for the democrat (or another republican in the primary). Yet that still leaves one-third (or even as much as 45%) of the American public in the middle.

The most important factor by far which governs the decisions of the middle-third of the public is likability. And while every pollster measures this, few campaign managers take the distinction any further. Within the minds of these swing-voters, likability can be further broken down into three components:

• Nonverbal Behavior
• Vocal Qualities
• Verbal content

Of these three, nonverbal behavior is the most important - followed by vocal qualities (paralanguage) and least of all (and ironic to most) are the candidate's words. So very little time, energy and effort are put into improving their nonverbal and vocal qualities - yet these will determine the results of the election. The same is true in the vast majority of times when it comes to making a sale, convincing a jury (or a judge), the bedside manner of a physician, de-escalating a confrontation, negotiations, dating,e personal disputes, etc.

During this interview, Senator Rand Paul is displaying several key body language signals which destroy likability. The conventional steeple (here displayed rather elevated and thus amplifying its effect), when used very sparingly and just for a second or two - can transmit alpha qualities, assertiveness and leadership strength. Paul, however, uses this for much too long (as do most who use it) and thus it backfires transmitting feelings of arrogance as well as condescending and patronizing attitudes.

Another up-regulator of these negative emotions which Senator Paul also is displaying here, is the central forehead contraction (CFC). When not used in the context of emotional or physical pain - either for oneself or for another person, persons or animal(s) - (e.g. sincere empathy) - the CFC is consistent with arrogance, incredulity and/or contempt.

What other body language configurations is Rand Paul using which are destroying both his likability and rapport?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2929: Jessica Alba, Sin City 2, Action Figures and the Jaw Confessional

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2328:  Senator Rand Paul's Body Language -  Pens, Lies and Filibusters -  Finger to Mouth Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2333:  Sen. Rand Paul at 2013 CPAC -  Body Language & variations on the Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2498:  McKenzie Morgan, 17 Year-Old Solo Pilot Walks Away From Crash Partial Mouth and Neck of Fear Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis & Self-Test No. 2252:  How Self-Aware are you?  Plane Crashes with Collateral Damage to Cars & Highway 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2473:  Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part III  When Shoulder-to-Shoulder is Broken 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2490:  Hillary Clinton and the Two-Handed Point - The American Bar Association, Body Language and Variations on a Theme 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2333: Sen. Rand Paul at 2013 CPAC - Body Language & variations on the Lip Purse

Senator Rand Paul gave a speech recently at the 2013 CPAC meeting, part of which is included in this video . During multiple occasions in the above edited video (e.g. at 0:30 - 0:31, 1:13 - 1:14 & 1:37 - 1:38) the junior Senator from Kentucky displays variations on the nonverbal known as the "Lip Purse". A lip purse is a highly reliable signal of clandestine disagreement and/or partial disclosure of one's facts and/or intent. It is displayed by someone who feels they have relative power and their lack of full disclosure is coupled with a plan. Only relative-alphas (which is also context-dependent) display the lip purse - thus it signals their belief that they also have the resources and the power to execute their plan/idea.

At 0:30 - 0:31, Senator Paul's lip purse is mildly to moderately tight (note the thinned upper lip) - which along with clandestine withholding of information also signifies an anger component.

At 1:13 - 1:14. This is standard lip purse.

At 1:37 - 1:38. Paul's lip purse is tightened as well - only here he is trying to suppress laughter. The laughter component is easily seen when watching the video.










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2072:  Jay Carney's Lip Purse while NOT commenting on  Mitt Romney's Visits to the U.K., Israel and Poland

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1055:  Tom Brady's Very Subtle Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2216:  Senator Jim DeMint's Body Language -  Lip Purse, Suppressed Smile, Duping Delight & Retiring Early

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 4949:  Colin Kaepernick's Body Language of  Clandestine Disagreement at Press Conference

Negotiation Secret # 9: Nancy Pelosi's Dramatic Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2265:  Ryan Gosling pulls a woman from audience on Conan -  His Classic Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2088:  McKayla Maroney's Expression - Everyone Got it Wrong  2012 Olympic Vault Silver Medalist

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2328: Senator Rand Paul's Body Language - Pens, Lies and Filibusters - Finger to Mouth Surrogates

Falling far short of a modern incarnation of Jimmy Stewart (a' la "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"), Rand Paul Filibustered for 13 hours this past Wednesday. This was in an effort to get answers regarding targeted drone strikes against U.S. citizens - prior to a confirmation vote for John Brennan as CIA director. The Republican Senator from Kentucky finished far short of the American record (24 hours, 18 minutes by Senator Strom Thurman, R-SC in an attempt to block the "Civil Rights Act of 1957"). 

At the 0:59 mark in the above video, Paul puts the tip of his pen up to his mouth just as he says, "ahhh" (stalling) - and just prior to him saying, ".... We've called Justice also, I think, the answer says something about the sequester, maybe they're going to call me when the sequester's over ...". In this context, this body language signals an identical message to a finger, thumb or his whole hand to his mouth would have - for he is lying. No doubt Rand and/or his staff called the Justice Department, but he is lying here about the specific content of the response.

This lie is of a rhetorical sort. It's not a whopper. Anyone with even a modest understanding of current (U.S.) politics knows it is deliberately theatrical. Thus this nonverbal is even more illustrative. The ability to tell a lie convincingly (verbally, nonverbally and via paralanguage), is proportional to the consequences of getting caught (Ekman). Since anyone with political nuance knows what's transpiring in this setting - the negative consequences of this melodrama is close to zero. Rand knows this. If he is not worried about being caught in a "white lie", and his body language still betrays his thoughts & emotions - then in the case of a bigger and more consequential deception, his subconscious would be sending up the nonverbal equivalent of the rockets' red glare to anyone who knows what signals to look for (there are many others).

While the vast majority of people have never been trained in body language, when others put a hand, digit or finger-surrogate (here Paul's Pen) to the face - particularly the mouth, eye or ear - many are left with a feeling of "ill-at-ease". And they probably cannot tell you why - all the "right things" may have been said, but "something just doesn't feel right". Such nonverbals destroy rapport, lose voters, business deals and spouses.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918: Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1880: Obama admits "The Private Sector is Doing Fine" Gaffe

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2062: Mitt Romney in London  Speaking out the Side of His Mouth - Anxiety-Insincerity or Worse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156: Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner -  Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1907: Governor Rick Scott tells a Lie

Body Language Secret # 731: Sharon Bialek Isn't Telling the Whole Truth re: Herman Cain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1861: Bashar al-Assad's Denial and Deception

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