Body Language Analysis No. 4277: Donald Trump's First Person Shooter/Terrorist's POV Display at the NRA Convention - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday 4 May 2018, President Trump gave a speech at the NRA's national meeting in Dallas, Texas. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial portion of that speech. 

President Trump (continuing at 22:07), "... But they died in a restaurant and various other close-proximity places. They were brutally killed by a small group of terrorists - that had guns. They took their time - and gunned them down, one-by-one. Boom! Come over here. Boom! Come over here. Boom! If you were - in those rooms - one of those people - and the survivors - said, 'It just lasted forever'. But if one employee - or just one patron had a gun - or if one person in this room had been there with a gun - aimed at the opposite direction - the terrorists would have fled or been shot and it would have been a whole different story - I mean - ..."

In this passage, Trump was speaking about the Paris attacks on 13 November 2015 in which 137 people died (including 7 terrorists) and 413 were wounded (80-99 critically).

Note that each time he said, "Boom!", President Trump displayed a dynamic handgun illustrator (not to be confused with a pistol steeple).

22:25

22:27

22:29

On each of these occasions, Donald Trump was stepping into the point-of-view of the terrorists. He was reenacting a bit of the Paris event from the perspective of the killers. In stark contrast, when he posited the idea of one of the hostages being armed and aiming their weapon back at the terrorist - the President did NOT configure his hand in a similar fashion.

This was not the first time Donald Trump used a handgun illustrator. You'll recall that on 23 January 2016 in Sioux City, Iowa he said, "... My people are so smart. And you know what else they say about my people? - The polls. They say, 'I have the most loyal people'. Did you ever see that? Where I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, Okay? It's like incredible!"

On that occasion, he pointed his handgun illustrator directly at the television camera (image immediately above).

Although there are exceptions (e.g., law enforcement, some military, actors, comedic scenarios) a handgun illustrator is an extremely rare nonverbal display for anyone in a leadership position to use - particularly high office holders.

Regardless of the culture or country, even the much more common index finger (forefinger) pointing is hyper-aggressive and highly offensive (which Trump also repeatedly displays).

Yet multiple simulated gun-firing gestures - from the point of view of a real ISIS/ISIL terrorist/event - reenacting killing which actually occurred - and particularly when contrasting these actions with a LACK of a similar gesture for his armed (good-guy) hostage theoretical person(s) - absolutely calls into question the President's psyche - and particularly how he views himself.

SUMMARY: This is a Rorschach-type moment - with his nonverbal behavior substituting for ink-blots. The President's nonverbal behavior in this video strongly suggests that he relates more to the minds' and actions' of the terrorist-killers than those of his would-be hostages-turned-heroes.

The multiple handgun illustrators use in this context is highly correlative with dramatically reduced or complete absence of empathy - as well as impulse control disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and (on occasion) antisocial personality disorder.

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4276: Waffle House Hero James Shaw Jr. Meets His NBA Idol Dwyane Wade

Body Language Analysis No. 4275: Rudy Giuliani's Interview on Fox News

Body Language Analysis No. 4273: Natalia Veselnitskaya and The Trump Tower Meeting - "I am an Informant"

Body Language Analysis No. 4271: Donald Trump's Hand Holding While Pulling of Emmanuel Macron

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. 4004: US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher asks NASA scientist about Civilizations on Mars

Body Language Analysis No. 3986: Anthony Kennedy, The Supreme Court, and Predicting Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3930: Emmanuel Macron, Hacking, and Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3374: Paris Attack Suspect Named - Salah Abdeslam - Body Language

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Body Language Analysis No. 3948: The Manchester Bomber, Nonverbal Communication, Threat Assessment, and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

The image above (and the cropped close-up below) shows one of the few currently available photos of Salman Abedi - the alleged perpetrator of the recent bombing during at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. Tragically, 22 victims were killed and at least 120 others were injured.

Note the expression on Abedi's face - it's a mixture of both Contempt and Disgust. The elevated "snarl" appearance on HIS left side (e.g. the well-defined nasolabial fold [the furrow running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth]), is particularly emblematic of Contempt. His mid-face tightness (in the "mustache area") is consistent with both of these emotions (although also more accentuated on his left - ergo contempt). His "droopy eyelids", while perhaps longstanding (e.g., congenital ptosis) - here serve as an amplifier of contempt and disgust. Abedi's backward head tilt also acts to intensify each of these emotions.

As human beings, we all occasionally feel - and thus display each of these feelings - but hopefully not very often or too intensely.

However, those who make such facial expressions frequently have a dramatically increased likelihood of having impulse control disorder (colloquially known as a "short temper"). Therefore in the context of significant disagreements, these individuals will tend to use physical force and outright violence to solve problems - rather than dialog, diplomacy, and reason.

Moreover, if we evaluate the real-time behavior and/or social media behavior record of the people who perpetrate terrorist activity or mass-shootings - we will observe a dramatic frequency of disgust and contempt - as well as anger (often there exists a mixture of these emotions)

With this in mind, it's not surprising that a senior person at the mosque which Abedi attended (the Manchester Islamic Centre aka Didsbury Mosque) reported that Salman Abedi looked at him with a "face of hate" after the imam gave a sermon denouncing terrorism and preaching against ISIS.

Summary: Careful observation of Nonverbal Behavior plays a crucial role in Threat Assessment and preventing violence. The perpetrator of the 2017 Manchester Bombing, Salman Abedi, is yet another example of an individual who exhibited such body language red flags. And while certainly not all of those who display chronic expressions of anger, contempt, and/or disgust will perpetrate terrorist activity - they will virtually always have impulse control disorder (thus you don't want to date them, hire them, be hired by them, vote for them, etc.).

My deepest condolences for all those who have suffered in this horrific event.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3947: Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction to Donald Trump's statement, "I never mentioned the Word or Name 'Israel' "

Body Language Analysis No. 3945: Donald Trump's Anxiety - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 3943: Donald Trump hugs James Comey

Body Language Analysis No. 3941: H.R. McMaster’s Press Conference, Part II — Donald Trump, Russia & Classified Information

Body Language Analysis No. 3933: Sally Yates Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3870: Paul Ryan's Response to Donald Trump during President's Speech before The Joint Session of Congress

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3793: Donald Trump Comments Regarding Berlin Attack - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Monday a Truck attack directed at a Christmas market in Berlin Germany killed 12 people while wounding 49. The initial suspect has been released and it is currently believed the true perpetrator is Anis Amri, a 24 year-old Tunisian native.

On Monday just after the attack President-Elect Trump issued a written statement saying, "ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad."

On Wednesday morning Mr. Trump responded directly to questions regarding the same attack. This brief exchange is included in the video above and a portion of it is here examined and highlighted as a nonverbal teaching example.

Beginning at 0:35 in the above video a journalist asks: Um, Your, your comments about the ah, truck attack in Berlin being against Christians -  You think that this might, um, -

Trump: Say it again. What?

Journalist: Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?

Trump: Wher - who said that? When did, when was that said?

Journalist: I think, I believe you said it in a press release.

Trump: So [inaudible] 

Journalist:  So, I'm wondering how this might affect the relations - 

Trump: It's an attack on humanity. That's what it is, it's an attack on humanity - And [inaudible] it's gotta be stopped. Thank you. Thank you.

As the Journalist repeats a portion of her question, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?

During this sentence, the President Elect displays a "Tongue Jut" (more specifically a "Tight Forward Tongue Jut") signifying Mr. Trumps disdain (and distaste) for the question. A tight tongue jut is a nonverbal behavior which has its roots in infancy (we all exhibit this from time-to-time) - a vestigial remnant from pushing distasteful food out of one's mouth.

Then Donald Trump immediately displays a "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) as the journalist continues the same sentence, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?"

An inward lip roll is a nonverbal manifestation of our psyche trying to suppress an emotion from being displayed outwardly - while simultaneously also down-regulating its growth inwardly. 

As she finishes the same sentence, "Your, your, the attack in Berlin being against an attack against Christians?"- President Elect Trump displays a "Forward Lip Purse".

A forward lip purse indicates a clandestine disagreement and/or a clandestine plan. Moreover, it signifies an important disparity between what is said aloud versus what is being thought-felt. Only alpha individuals (or who perceive themselves to be a relative alpha in the real time context) display a forward lip purse. In addition, they also believe they have a good chance of successfully implementing and following through on their idea/plan.

Summary: President Elect Trump did not like being questioned on his feelings regarding whether he felt this terrorist act was specifically directed at Christians. He then successfully suppressed his negative emotions - and immediately following this he was actively formulating-contemplating a plan/idea which he kept to himself.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3792: Notre Dame's Matt Farrell and Family Surprised by Brother Bo's Military Homecoming at Basketball Game

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3790: Senator John McCain Believes Russian Election Interference Could 'Destroy Democracy'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3788: President Obama's Press Conference - "Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3696: Jimmy Kimmel's 2016 Emmys Opening Monologue - Sarah Paulson brought Marcia Clark

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 MTV Video Music Awards 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3620: Cristiano Ronaldo's Injury, UEFA Euro 2016 and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No.2549: al Qaeda operative Abu Anas al-Liby (Libi) captured in Libya, Body Language Signals Chronic with Terrorists

Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai (known by his alias Abu Anas al-Liby) was captured yesterday in Libya. The al Qaeda operative was one of the most wanted terrorists in the World. He is alleged to have a significant role in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania which killed 224 and wounded over four thousand.

The context and date of this photograph is not known, however his facial expression is one which is exceedingly common among those who perpetrate terrorism - that of Anger, Contempt and Disgust. While none of these emotions are expressed in an extreme fashion, they are clearly evident in this example.

Note how al-Ruqai's/al-Liby's jaw is protruding forward. This nonverbal signal has a high correlation with anger. His mouth opening is also foreshortened and his lips are also thinned. In addition his eyebrows are mildly to moderately lowered.

Both Al-Ruqai's/al-Liby's nostrils are also dilated. And although the camera angle makes it difficult to be certain, this nasal flaring appears to be more prominent on his right. A deepening of his right nasal-labial fold is also seen together with significant tension of the "mustache area" (beneath his nose and above his upper lip).

His eye findings are subtle but interesting. While it is possible that his upper eyelids have a "droopiness" (ptosis) which is longstanding or possibly congenital, a partial eyelid closure is seen in both lower to moderate levels of anger as well as contempt. Partially closed upper eyelids are significant contempt amplifiers. His lower eyelids are also opened wider than baseline and show significant tension - which conveys significant anger.

These nonverbal findings are highly consistent with anger, contempt and to a lesser degree disgust. This triad is exceedingly common with those who are preoccupied with hate and, if displayed chronically it is highly predictive toward similar actions (terrorism and revenge-type crimes). If we could see his hands when this photo was captured, they probably would be in fists.

When (not if) you come across this expression next, steer clear - for there is a high propensity towards violence lurking just beneath the surface.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2231:  A Common Facial Expression of Mass Killers - Using Body Language as a Threat Assessment Tool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2503:  Fort Hood Shooter and his Tell-Tale Body Language  Common to many Mass-Killers -  Nidal Malik Hasan gets the Death Penalty

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2537: Kenya Mall Attack Witness, Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152:  Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence & Acquiescence ....

Negotiation Secret # 47:  Jaw Jut and Mid-face Tightening

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2039:  Fight Outside Florida Courtroom -  Jaw Jut Prior to Violence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313:  Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel -  What Her Body Language Tells Us ....
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2412: Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the Woolwich attack and the Killing of Lee Rigby

In the now well-documented attack and killing of U.K. Soldier Lee Rigby, Ms. Ingrid Loyau-Kennett has become a heroine. In the video above, this cub scout leader and former teacher recounts the events of that day. Although she arrived after Rigby's death, her incredibly brave actions of speaking with the attackers in such a calm, non-inflammatory and De-escalating manner, in may peoples' minds, acted to talk down the attackers and help prevent further violence.

During this interview in a 10 second period (freeze-framed below), Ms. Loyau-Kennett displays multiple nonverbals as she relives the traumatic events. In body language parlance such simultaneous displays or those in short time periods are known as "Clusters".

Here (1:50 mark) as a combination MAP/MAP surrogate (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier), Ms. Loyau-Kennett holds her own hand in a near fig-leaf configuration while she twists her ring. This is a clear and significant anxiety indicator. It is also notable that her central eyebrows are raised in a mild-moderate contraction of her central forehead (CFC) which conveys her strong emotional pain - as well as empathy for the physical and emotional pain for the fallen soldier.

"Full Palmar Contact" over her sternum and left chest (over her heart) conveys a high sincerity quotient. She maintains this "heartfelt"configuration (also a type of MAP) for several seconds (see below).

Her central forehead contraction is more pronounced in this moment (1:57). She can be seen pulling her head and upper torso backwards as she makes a deep inhalation - more anxiety (1:56).

Still maintaining full palmar contact, Ms. Loyau-Kennett exhales deeply (1:58) at the vivid memory. This is often referred to as the "Puffer Fish" and is seen primarily after (but sometimes before) major anxiety producing  events. Remember - although it may not me anxiety producing for you - it is for them.

Her CFC  and central (medial) eyebrow elevation persists.

In this image our heroin adjusts her hair just in front of her left ear. This is a variation of the much more common "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" (HABE). The dynamics of this MAP are superiorly illustrated in the video (1:59). This is an indicator that this brave lady (already an alpha) is further dialing up her assertive qualities as her memory emotionally puts herself deeper in the moment of the attack. CFC persists although a bit less prominent here. 

Hand Flapping is exhibited at 1:59, and again at 2:04. This is common nonverbal and more open display of anxiety (more common but not exclusive to women and gay men). Often, hand flapping is a harbinger of tears. Hand flapping is consistent with both high sincerity and empathy quotients.

Ms. Loyau-Kennett's CFC is re-strengthened.

Although we cannot fully visualize her hand position here, Ingrid has once again adopted a near fig-leaf MAP at the 2:00 mark.

Her central forehead contraction (CFC) persists.









This interview is of course predictably laden with anxiety tells. However in many examples throughout your day - these and other nonverbals go unnoticed. How many crucial ones will you miss tomorrow?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1910:  Natasha Smith Sexually Assaulted in Tahrir Square - Post Assault Interview

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2275:  Lance Armstrong's Insincerity -  Body Language revealed in Oprah Winfrey Interview  Part III

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1808: Time Magazine's  Breast Feeding, Dr. William Sears, and Attachment Parenting Controversy - Shows Emotional Dissonance at Best

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2143:  Meyers and Bailey Leonard - The Illini, The Marine & The Reunion -  Emotional Processing & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2399:  Matthew McConaughey on David Letterman and a  Very Common Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2189:  Jill Kelley's Body Language - Dialing Up Her Alpha ...

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1122:  Tiger, Pebble Beach and the Puffer Fish

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2123: The "White Widow" Samantha Lewthwaite's - What does Her Falsified Passport Photo Tell Us?

This image is taken from a falsified South African passport (alias Natalie Faye Webb) used by Samantha Lewthwaite aka “The White Widow”.  Her husband, Germaine Lindsay, was one of the suicide bombers whom on 7 July 2005 collectively killed 52 innocent people and wounded over 700 in four terrorist attacks targeting London public transportation system - three nearly simultaneous acts against Underground trains and another later on a double-decker bus. Initially, Ms. Lewthwaite, who had two children with Lindsay, denied his involvement. Later when forensic evidence proved the contrary, she said that her husband’s “innocent, naive and simple” mind had been “poisoned”. She is now believed to be a member of a terrorist cell with activity in East Africa. Along with Scotland Yard the Kenyan police are on the hunt for her. It is believed she may be recruiting and training an all-female group of Mujahid (holy warriors) and to have crossed into Tanzania on Boxing Day 2011.

Lewthwaite’s faked passport photo shows several signals consistent with contempt-arrogance. A highly characteristic nonverbal displayed here is her left nostril flaring. This coexists with a slight left-sided bias smile – which in this context is another clear body language signal betraying her true feelings. Since this was a counterfeit passport, this expression betrays a version of “duping delight”.  Another facial configuration signifying contempt-arrogance is her partially closed “droopy” lids (Care must be taken to eliminate ptosis - that is, droopy lids from a medical, surgical, traumatic, congenital, etc. causes – which here, when compared with older photos is not present).

She of course knew the purpose of her home-made passport and when this photo was taken she was unquestionably feeling contempt. If you’re interrogating a person with these facial signals as a suspect or questioning them during a deposition – you need to dig deeper. And if you’re picking a jury, eliminate immediately anyone with this cluster of nonverbals.

See also:

Analysis # 457: Salman Rushdie - and a Contempt Amplifier

Analysis # 2059: Musharraf has Contempt towards Pakistan's Intelligence Agency

Analysis # 2111: Mitt Romney on Libya Embassy Killings - Multiple Contempt Displays

Analysis # 2115: Prince Harry in Afghanistan - Incredulity & Contempt

Analysis # 2050: George Zimmerman's Interview on Fox - Microexpression of Contempt and Duping Delight

Analysis # 140: Duping Delight Microexpression

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