Body Language Analysis No. 4306: Donald Trump, a North Korean General, and a Salute - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

North Korea released a video on Thursday from the Singapore Summit earlier this week. It shows President Trump returning a salute from one of Kim's generals. Trump's action shocked many people - including Kim Jong-un.

From a nonverbal perspective, it's crucial to note that Donald Trump did not initiate the salute - but responded to the General's salute (an example of social mirroring) after the General missed Trump's cue to shake hands. Upon receiving the salute from Trump, the general then re-initiated a handshake.

The image above - a screen grab from 0:06 obscures Trump's face - but not Kim's.

A closer evaluation of the North Korean leader in this same instant shows a slack-jawed Kim Jong-un. His full facial expression projects an emotion of momentary shock. For a second, he can't believe what he's seeing.

Did you notice that the North Korean General did not look at Trump's face during his salute - but looked down? He did, however, make eye contact thereafter.

Kim recovers quickly from his shock - and when Trump and the general shake hands, Kim smiles - with a mild component of laughter.

However, a closer evaluation of Kim Jong-un reveals his "smile" is asymmetrical - exposing a good bit more teeth (specifically his right, lower teeth). In this context, his particular evanescent mouth asymmetry indicates Kim's:

• Hubris
• Bravado


While of lower resolution and not captured here from an optimal angle, Donald Trump's facial expression in this same second clearly shows his:

• Central Forehead Contracted and Elevated
• Partial Mouth "Smile" (and Insincere Smile)

This is one nonverbal cluster we never want with high frequency - for although we all display it once in a while - those who use it often have a high correlation with Antisocial Personality Disorder (colloquially referred to as Sociopathy/a Sociopath).

Taken isolation this elevated CFC + partial mouth smile expression indicates one of the following feelings:

• Arrogance
• Contempt
• Sarcastic Disbelief

We all feel these thought-emotions on occasion (hopefully not too often) - and all three may be manifested via other facial expressions. But this is NEVER an expression we should ever want to see when someone is shaking our hand.


Summary: Kim Jong-un was momentarily shocked when he saw Donald Trump saluting a North Korean general. Kim then showed bravado/hubris.

President Trump's expression was insincere while shaking the foreign subordinate's hand. More specifically, Trump projected emotions of arrogance, contempt, and/or sarcastic disbelief.


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4305: Donald Trump's Aberrancies - post-Summit Interview 

Body Language Analysis No. 4303: Donald Trump, the G7 Summit, Women's Empowerment, and Rage

Body Language Analysis No. 4301: Donald Trump and the G7 Summit "Family Photo"

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4293: Why is Harvey Weinstein Smiling?

Body Language and Medical Analysis No. 4221: Why are Donald Trump's Pupils So Large?

Body Language Analysis No. 4202: Saoirse Ronan, Ed Sheeran, and Galway Girl (Galway Grill)

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4137: Matt Lauer's "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace"

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1933: Iran's Aggression and their Military's Salute - A Visual Metaphor of WWII & Nazi Fear

Iran's Military salute is very similar to the Nazi salute initiated in pre-WWII Germany. I thought of including a historical image for comparison - but that is not necessary. Immediately when we look at this recent picture, those of the 1930's and early 40's evoke other dark images, empathy (for their victims) and pain. The act of not including such a photo illustrates just how strongly the Nazi World-view is cemented fearfully in our mind and minds-eye, even though most alive now were not alive then. The vast majority of people experience these painful emotions in historical context, or perhaps by stories told or read, etc.

From a pure body language point of view, the Iranian salute is even more caustic than the Nazi's. The closed-fisted message is more dominant and violence provoking than Hitler's open, palm-down configuration. Of course, neither is welcomed.

Iran again announced today that it would attack preemptively any country which it perceives as a threat to it's national interests. Israel and Iran have traded threats for some time. This comes as tension in the Mideast grows and the IAEA, the United Nations' nuclear monitoring body, begins another set of talks with the Iranian Government in an attempt to ascertain the full scope of Iran's nuclear intentions.

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Leadership Secret # 222: Palms Down vs. Palms Up

The above photo of Angela Merkel is an obvious and major faux pas.  No leader, especially a national leader and particularly the leader of the German people should use this palm down, arm extended gesture.  The obvious images of Adolf Hitler it conjures up, creates an immediate and visceral fear response in nearly all who see it.  This aside, palms down gestures universally generate negative, patronizing and condescending feelings in the audience and all others who see the image.  Leaders are well advised to use the palms up gestures instead.  The palms up gesture spread feelings of openness, fostering and supportive attitudes while still being authoritative and conveying strong leadership.

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