Read on Twitter
THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4351: Donald Trump Stops Anthony Kennedy in His Tracks • https://cs.pn/2yL7U83 ">https://cs.pn/2yL7U83&q... • #Nonverbal #EmotionalIntelligence #DonaldTrump #BrettKavanuagh #AnthonyKennedy #BodyLanguage #BodyLanguageExpert #SCOTUS #TakenAback #StoppedInHIsTracks
1/ On 8 October 2018, a ceremonial swearing-in of Brett Kavanaugh as an Associate Supreme Court Justice was held in the East Room of the White House.
2/ After the ceremony was completed, there was an interesting exchange which occurred between retired Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy and President Trump. What follows is a nonverbal analysis of that exchange.
3/ Note that as Trump and Kennedy exit the East Room (beginning at about 30:01 in the above video), as they& #39;re walking down the hallway, Trump momentarily touches with his finger-splayed right hand in the upper center portion of Kennedy& #39;s back (30:27 - 30:28).
4/ President Trump exhibits this particular behavior extremely often. It& #39;s not in any way a display of affection or friendship - nor is it because Kennedy needs any assistance in walking (he doesn& #39;t) - rather this is Trump displaying dominance.
5/ As they turn to their left (30:29), Justice Kennedy suddenly stops - epitomizing the nonverbal idioms of & #39;stopping in his tracks& #39; and he& #39;s & #39;taken aback& #39; - and with both of his feet planted, his torso recoils, tilting backward, as he suddenly pulls away from President Trump.
6/ Kennedy then leans slightly forward, particularly with his head and neck, in a moment of anger and assertiveness (30:30).
7/ As Trump attempts to calm Kennedy (30:32) with his dominant, palm-down gesture, Kennedy looks down to his right.
8/ This is the quadrant to which most people look in momentary reflection during high-emotional times (such as sadness, guilt, shame, regret, what-am-I-going-to-do-now?, and similar feelings).
9/ During 30:31, we see Kennedy& #39;s mouth momentarily agape - displaying persisting shock and disbelief. Notice too, that the justice& #39;s jaw is retracted - which, although not required, serves to amplify Kennedy& #39;s emotions.
10/ Kennedy then reasserts himself with Trump (30:34 - 30:37) with a finger-point hand-chop.
11/ This is indicative of Kennedy& #39;s feelings of anger and self-righteousness - and it& #39;s one of the few times you& #39;ll see this body language displayed in this, or any president& #39;s personal space (intimate space).
12/ Summary: While we don& #39;t know what President Trump said to retired Associate Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, we can be absolutely sure it has profound ramifications. Kennedy was taken aback/shocked.
continued ...
continued ...
13/ The justice then grew self-righteous and angry. This nonverbal exchange is highly-consistent with Kennedy believing that a promise had been broken.
END
END
