Body Language Analysis No. 4040: James Clapper Regarding Donald Trump's Fitness for Office - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last night, after Donald Trump's rally-speech in Phoenix, James Clapper was a guest on CNN. The former Director of National Intelligence displayed a multitude of body language signals during his interview this interview. What follows is a highlight of just a crucial few of Mr. Clapper's nonverbal moments.

DON LEMON (beginning at 0:07): What did you think of tonight's performance by President Trump?

JAMES CLAPPER: Well, a, Don, it's hard to know where to, where to start, ahhhh, it's just so objectionable on so many, ah, levels. Ahum, you know I toiled in one capacity or another for every President, ah, since and including John F. Kennedy through President Obama and I don't know when I've listened and watched something like this - of a president that I found more, ah, disturbing. Having some understanding of ah, the levers of power that are available to a president if, ah, he chooses to exercise 'em. Ah, I found this, ah, ah, downright scary and, and ah, and disturbing. 

I think, ah, Bakari [Bakari Sellers] is, ah, right on the money though, that th-, this is not a surprise. It, [clears throat] interesting to contrast, ah, last night's ah, teleprompter Trump performance, ah, versus, ah, tonight, which is of course, ah, the real Trump*. Ah, just as, it was in that the unglued impromptu press conference, ah, at Trump Tower. So I, I just find this, ah, [deep inhalation] extremely disturbing.

LEMON: Are you questioning his fitness? 

CLAPPER: Yes, I do. I, I, I, I really ques, question, ah, his, ah, ability to ah, his fitness to be in this office.

During 0:42, as Mr. Clapper says, "... the levers of power that are available to a president if, ah, he chooses to exercise 'em ...", he displays an excellent example of a microexpression of Contempt.

A few seconds later, during 0:52, as the former Director of National Intelligence says, "...  downright scary ...", he displays a second microexpression of contempt.

Just after he says, "... versus, ah, tonight, which is of course, ah, the real Trump ..." (during 1:14), James Clapper displays a Tight Tongue Jut" (be careful not to confuse this with a "Loose Tongue Jut") This too is very rapid - ergo, it's also a type of microexpression. A tight tongue jut is a signal of strong distaste, disgust, and disdain.

During 1:25, just after he says, "... I, I just find this, ah, [deep inhalation] extremely disturbing...", Mr. Clapper displays a nonverbal cluster involving his lower face including:

• Clenched Jaw
• Thinned Lips (almost disappeared)
• Mouth Corners and Cheeks Vectored Far Laterally
• Tissue adjacent to Lips Bulging

This classic grouping of facial findings indicate:

• Anger
• Frustration
• Regret

Summary: James Clapper's nonverbal behavior is highly congruent with his verbal statements. Not only is the former Director of National Intelligence angry and frustrated with Donald Trump, he also has contempt, disdain, and disgust for the President. To detect incongruency is to detect deception - Clapper is being sincere.


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

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy 

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats

Body Language Analysis No. 4034: Steve Bannon's Critical Evaluation

Body Language Analysis No. 4032: John Kelly's Reaction to Donald Trump's Press Conference Regarding the Events in Charlottesville

Body Language Analysis No. 4017: Elisabeth Moss, Anthony Rizzo, and a Signal of Sincerity

Body Language Analysis No. 4012: Anthony Scaramucci's and Reince Priebus' First (and Last) Photo in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis 3988: Kim Jong-un, ICBMs, False Joy, and Fake Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3918: The Image of Kim Jong-un He Most Prefers the World to See

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3835: Beauty and the Beast – Official Final Trailer



_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3830: Donald Trump, Enrique Peña Nieto and the Proposed Wall Along the Mexican-US Border - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today President Donald Trump cancelled his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. He addressed this along with his proposed Wall on the Mexican Border for the cameras and a GOP audience during the Republican retreat today in Philadelphia. It will come as no surprise that Trump's address was laden with very telling nonverbal behavior. One body language moment in particular is buried within the following segment:

At 2:09, President Trump continues, "... To that end - the president of Mexico - and myself have agreed to cancel our planned meeting scheduled for next week [Tight Forward Tongue Jut]. Unless Mexico is going to treat the United States fairly - with respect - such a meeting - would be fruitless - and I wanna go - a different route - we have no choice... "

During 2:18, note the display of President Trump's "Tongue Jut" (More specifically this is a "Tight Tongue Jut" [or a "Tight Forward Tongue Jut"] - in distinction to the "Loose Tongue Jut". Don't confuse these two as they have very different meanings). When there is significant tension (thus the descriptor, "Tight") in the jaw, mouth, lips and mid-face (as can be clearly seen in this example) during a simultaneous tongue jut - this signifies the emotions of being repulsed by, and having a strong distaste and disdain for the issue, person, group of people, etc., at hand. There's also a component of disgust present.

Intriguingly, if you have ever tried to feed an infant creamed asparagus which they didn't like - this is the identical mouth configuration you would see displayed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3829: Mary Tyler Moore - Flirtatious, Sexy, Alpha Female Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3827: Sean Spicer's Saturday Night Press Briefing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3825: President Trump's first Expression after Being Introduced

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3822: Betsy DeVos Confirmation Hearing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: Representative John Lewis: "Donald Trump Won’t Be A ‘Legitimate President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3808: Felicity Jones' Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3702: Hillary Clinton: "Why aren't I 50 points ahead (of Trump)?''

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3469: Leonardo DiCaprio and Dame Maggie Smith on BAFTA Awards Kiss Cam - The British Academy Film Awards


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2844: Vladimir Tells a Lie To Obama at Normandy - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Vladimir Putin has infamously alienated himself from most all European leaders with his perceived support of separatists in their bid for a portion for Ukraine to join Russia. 

In this brief (~6.4 seconds) but very telling video, Obama and Putin are shown speaking at the recent gathering of leaders at the 70th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. And while without hearing their words none of the following nonverbals taken in isolation indicate deception (although one is strongly suggestive) - when interpreted in this cluster-context, they are extremely consistent with Vladimir Putin telling a lie to Barack Obama.

Of all the body language tells, this nose rub taken in isolation is highly consistent with deception when the person displaying it is talking - particularly with making a declarative statement. 

This evanescent suppressed smile of Vladimir's is either a mirroring of President Obama's smile - or an example of "Duping Delight" (Ekman).

Putin's eye contact is considerably below what is should be for a man of his station who is confident.

An "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR) indicating President Putin's psyche attempting to prevent a crescendo of internal emotion as well as an outward nonverbal display.

A fraction of a second after the ILR, we see Putin display an inward lip roll, President Putin displays a "Tongue Jut". In this context it indicates he has a strong distaste to what he is saying/doing/or to whom he is speaking.

Three episodes of extended blinks
















Note also Putin's jugular veins (in neck, only left is visible here) - it is distended throughout much of this video. This is significant for increased intrathoracic pressure - which is also consistent with significant anxiety.

Moreover throughout this exchange President Putin rocks back and forth - shifting his weight from one leg to the other and back again. High anxiety.

Taken in total - this nonverbal cluster indicates Vladimir Putin was telling a lie to Barack Obama.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2436:  Vladimir Putin next to Barack Obama -  G8 Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1209:  Even Putin has Anxiety -  False Tie Adjust

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2777: President George W. Bush's Paintings of World Leaders - Putin, Berlosconi - Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1251:  Vladimir Putin vs. Taylor Lautner  Brothers in Swagger -  Who's got your Vote?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2081:  Vladimir Putin - to Diss a Kiss  Russian Rebuff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells

_________________________________________________________________________________