Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4760: Donald Trump's re Nikki Haley at Bedminster 'Press Conference'
Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence
Yesterday, Donald Trump addressed reporters at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. What follows is a body language analysis of a small but crucial segment of that event.
Trump was asked, "Would you consider having Nikki Haley on the campaign trail for you?" Summarizing his answer (see video above) Trump said, "I'd love to have her support, yeah. She'd give me – she gave me support, but I'd love to have her go around and campaign."
Note as Trump says, "but I'd love to have her", he sweeps his right (dominant) hand/arm out laterally, away from him. This is a classic dismissal gesture (i.e., she's trivial, she's inconsequential, she's bothersome, she's an irritant).
But there's also an additional body language signal here. Look carefully at Trump's hand (here at 1/4 speed) as he sweeps it outward. His right index finger is retracted.
With respect to body language, the index finger on the dominant hand (here, Trump's right hand) is the most powerful digit – signalling the hyper-dominance and confidence (and it's profoundly often misused/abused).
In contrast, when the index finger, particularly on one's dominant hand is retracted, the meaning is the opposite – low confidence, low comfort, and deception.
Trump is lying.
Immediately after Donald Trump says, "but I'd love to have her go around and campaign", Trump displays what is known as a Tight Tongue Jut.
A Tight Tongue Jut signals the thought-emotions of disdain, disgust, and repulsion.
Note also, Trump closes his eyes as he displays this tongue jut – this eyelid closure, although not a required component of this Tight Tongue Jut serves to accentuate its intensity – much as an infant pushes away creamed-asparagus.
Be careful not to confuse a Tight Tongue Jut with a Loose Tongue Jut, a Wide Open Tongue Jut, or a Predatory Tongue Jut – for these body language dynamics indicate completely different thoughts, emotions, ... and intents.
As Trump finishes his answer (speaking the word "campaign' and for about 2 seconds after, Trump shuffles – shifting his weight from side-to-side. This signals Trump's anxiety about interacting with Haley. He's wishing he hadn't said that.
SUMMARY: Donald Trump is lying when he says "he'd love to have" Nikki Haley campaign for him. Trump doesn't want to interact with Haley at all.
Donald Trump has contempt for, disdain for, and repulsion toward Nikki Haley. He doesn't want her around. She gives Trump anxiety. He's dismissive of her political value. Trump views Haley as inconsequential and as a pest.
Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com
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I’ve followed you a long time. Twitter, here. I always think you make sense.
I’m not a mental health professional.
All of Trump’s “weird” tongue movements&the way he holds his mouth, how he talks has disturbed me. Even when he was young, his speech&mouth motions were disturbing. I’ve alway thought reptile?
Is this why he comes across as so creepy, the dissonance between what he says verbally (as bad as that is, itself) and what he says with his body language? It's really off-putting.