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Body language expert spots telling detail in Donald Trump’s reaction when female fan declares her love for him
At a mid-term rally in Tennessee earlier this month, President Donald Trump declared his love for a heckling fan after she called out that she loved him.
Since the clip of the uncomfortable moment went viral, a body language expert has revealed more details about the interaction.
After a female admirer called out from the crowd at the Republican rally to tell the President that she loved him, Trump responded with “I love you too, darling," before adding: "Let's see what you look like. Ohhh, she's a beautiful person."
The president ranted about how you can't compliment women
Moments later, the octogenarian launched into one of his repeated complaints that "you're not allowed to say a woman is beautiful.
“When you call her ‘beautiful,’ that’s the end of your political career. I guess I’m from the old school.”
While what Trump said was telling enough, actions speak louder than words, and body language expert Inbaal Honigman has examined the dramatic shift in his body language when he addresses the fan, breaking away from his typically disengaged on-stage persona.
By flashing a beaming smile, raising his eyebrows and lowering his chin in what Honigman describes as a submissive gesture, she suggests Trump's animated expressions reveal he's "fantasizing in full view of the audience".
The expert claims: "When Trump interacts with a female fan, we see the President display very different body language from his usual campaign rally moves and gestures.
“The President's typical campaign rally body language is straightforward and largely unchanged. We see a neutral face, an unsmiling mouth, and a mostly expressionless demeanor, unless he's attempting to be humorous. His forehead remains flat, his cheeks are dropped, and he usually has one or both hands draped over the sides of the podium."
A body-language expert explained how Trump's behaviour shifted
Analyzing the moment the president noticed the fan, Honigman explains: “Trump initially responds casually, remaining in his usual listless mode, until he realizes she's good-looking.
“At that moment, the President breaks into a sunny, welcoming smile. His teeth make an appearance, his cheeks become rounded and pink, and he lowers his chin in a submissive gesture.
“Trump's entire demeanor changes as he glances sideways and upwards dreamily, raising his eyebrows as though daydreaming. He's fantasizing in full view of the audience.
“After a brief, distracted segue into the subject of beautiful women and politics, during which his usual listless expression returns, Trump turns his attention back to the fan.”
After going completely off-piste at the rally, Trump makes an extremely awkward gesture as he tries to turn his attention back to the rest of the crowd.
Honigman said the president "performs an 'aw shucks' hand tap, an old-school gesture used to express modesty in a slightly embarrassed, self-conscious way."