Body Language and Behavior Analysis No. 4740: Donald Trump's Puffer Fish Face – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

The above image of Donald Trump was taken as he was heading back into the courtroom yesterday after a break during his felony election interference trial.

Here's another slightly different image taken a second or two later:

 

 

Of course, everyone knows that Donald Trump is stressed. That's certainly no secret. But here's the Rub: to note similar times when someone who you like and trust – exhibits similar nonverbal behavior (i.e., in everyday scenarios).

As with all human beings, we constantly fall victim to our confirmation bias. Would most people be able to accurately interpret this behavior if instead the person exhibiting it was someone we felt relatively neutral toward – or even someone for whom we cared deeply?

Would we be then able to spot a lie? The insincerity? Manipulation? The Answer: Most of the time an otherwise socially adept person would not be able to see these behaviors in these alternative scenarios. Body Language skills are irreplaceable tools of objectivity.

Trump's expression displayed here is known as the "Puffer Fish". As with the vast, vast majority of body language, it's initiated and occurs subconsciously. It's almost exclusively seen just immediately prior to or immediately following a stressful event. 

I've seen quintessential examples of this behavior in athletes just prior to their games/events, in students just before big exams, in surgeons before/after difficult surgeries, etc. ...and, as we see exampled here – in criminal defendants. 

Despite what a person may say, if you see the Puffer Fish expression — you can be sure that the person is beginning or finishing (what is for them) a particularly stressful event.

If the display of stress seems out of proportion with the context, this body language should raise a big red flag in your mind that there's more going on. Dig deeper.

 

The Puffer Fish nonverbal display occurs during an extended exhalation. It's an outward manifestation of the psyche's attempt to bring about a calming effect – more specifically, a decrease in respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.

SUMMARY: The Puffer Fish Expression is Body Language dynamic display indicating the attempt of the  subconscious at lowering both our physiological and psychological stress.

Inquiries regarding teaching (one-on-one or groups), keynotes, consulting, and press: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com     

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Body Language Analysis No. 4728: Donald Trump is displaying Fear – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

The above image was captured on January 6th 2024 in Newton, Iowa – three years to the day after the insurrection. 

It demonstrates an expression that Trump displays relatively rarely – and in light of his legal troubles, its evaluation is particularly important.

Note Trump's jaw is extended forward. This is a manifestation of an Adrenaline Surge (which, in isolation, could indicate a number of different thought-feelings – but read on for the full analysis).

This jaw jutting is photographically highlighted by the evanescent empty space/temporary cavity behind Trump's jaw and below his ear (tissue stretching forward). The shading from the angle of the light in this moment makes it especially easy to see.

Next look at Trump's mouth – the corners are pulled laterally w/ an additional downward vectoring. Due to the angle of this image, we're unable to evaluate the symmetry of this dynamic, however it appears to be more prominent on his left.

This is a mouth expression indicative of fear.

Now observe the direction of Trump's gaze. He's looking down to his right. Although there could very well be an unrelated and valid reason to otherwise look in this direction, it's also the quadrant we tend to look toward during highly emotional moments.

Crucially, pay close attention to Trump's neck. Although he's not a thin individual (making it more difficult to visualize), we can see his neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids ['ropy' muscles] and his platysma [nearly thin paper-thin muscle just below neck skin] TIGHTEN).

This dynamic is a 'Neck of Fear'.

SUMMARY: This expression of Donald Trump is highly-indicative of FEAR, particularly his:

• Neck of Fear
• Mouth of Fear
• Jaw Jut

All individuals, professionals, and businesses/organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills and nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence please email me: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com Group and individual sessions available.

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Body Language Analysis No. 4727: Dan Scavino's default expressions – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

When a person wants to look important but they have low confidence – they'll often adopt a facial expression involving widely open eyes (eyelids).

Another common default in those who lack self-confidence, but who want to appear the opposite is a facial expression of a seemingly constant elevated forehead. 

This usually (but not always) primarily involves the central forehead. A look of concentration, concern, or pseudo-deep-thought often accompany their elevated central forehead.

Think of the guy in the gym or at the bar who's trying to look important. 

And sometimes you'll even see both of these components – widely opened eyes simultaneous with an elevated forehead.

Those who lack confidence in themselves but who want so deeply to be thought of as important are dangerous – because they'll do just about anything to belong to the cool-kids club.

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Body Language Analysis No. 4727: Donald Trump deception – claiming to "put America first" – Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

 

The above video clip is from Trump's appearance in Clinton, Iowa on January 6th 2024 – three years to the day after his attempt at insurrection. What follows is a body language analysis of crucial tells Trump displayed during this segment.

Note that just after the video begins (0:01), we see a brief display of what is known as a Loose Tongue Jut – a nonverbal signal of:

• Deception
• "I just said/about to say a stupid thing"
• "I've been/about to be caught"
• "I've been bad"

Be careful not to confuse a Loose Tongue Jut with a Tight Tongue Jut or a Wide Open Tongue Jut – as these indicate completely different thought-emotions. 

Then Trump says (0:1 - 0:4), "Unlike every other candidate in this race, with me you know, ..."

As he says this Trump twists his torso several times. In this context, this twisting is indicative of anxiety associated with Deception.

As you rewatch this video segment, please recall the expressions: "Twisting yourself into a pretzel", "Twisting the Truth", "Twisted Lies", etc. 

Note also, that whilst he's twisting his torso, Trump also displays a facial expression indicating an amalgam of both Contempt and Disgust.

Then Trump continues, "... in your heart, that I will always put America first – which I will, I think I've proven that...". Note that just after Trump says, "first", he shrugs (0:07) with both shoulders (more pronounced on his right [because that shoulder is lower due to his turn/twisted torso]).

Whenever Shoulder Shrugging should never be seen when a person is making a declarative statement ("...I will always put America first ..."), you know that they don't believe whatever they just said/are saying. 

This is also a good example of the verbal language disagreeing with the nonverbal language – in such cases, it's the nonverbal message that speaks the truth.

Did you notice Trump's eye closure during his shoulder shrugging? This signals yet another signal of lying – momentary lack of eye contact during the lie.

A second later is a great example of a Statement Analysis tell – with Trump's use of "I think I've proven that" (rather than "I've proven that" or "I know I've proven that") a hedging statement which betrays his low confidence and deception.

SUMMARY: In this 9 second clip, we see Donald Trump display 4 nonverbal signals/supportive signals and one verbal (statement analysis) sign of Deception – as well as his display of Contempt and Disgust.

All professionals, individuals, and businesses/organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their Body Language skills and nuance their understanding of Emotional Intelligence please email me: Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com Group and individual sessions available.

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