A body language specialist has analyzed the lead-up to President Trump walking out of an NBC interview, arguing that the interviewer’s line of questioning appeared to unsettle him.
The footage of the president abruptly leaving the set spread quickly online after NBC’s Kristen Welker challenged him over his repeated false assertions that the 2020 election was “rigged”, as well as his push to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted by the government — including individuals arrested in connection with the 2021 Capitol riot.
The proposed settlement, referred to by the Department of Justice as the Anti-Weaponization Fund, would set aside $1.776 billion to pay claims from people who say they were “weaponized” by the state.
In the tense segment, which aired today (June 7), Trump continued to defend the idea, even though acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has said the administration is not proceeding with the fund, “period”.
Welker also pressed him again on his 2020 election claims, and when asked to provide evidence, the exchange ended with Trump cutting it short.
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough, thank you, darling, have a good time,” he said to the interviewer.
Commenting for Covers, body language expert Darren Stanton said Trump appeared “genuinely angry” as he headed off set.
He explained: “We see his eyes squint and his eyebrows pull together and down which is a clear micro-expression associated with anger.
“Trump came across as really trying to ‘win’ and dominate the interview.
“He leans towards the interviewer in a likely attempt to intimidate. He was also using a lot of hand gestures to get into the interviewer’s personal space.”
Stanton also suggested the interviewer had effectively lost control of the exchange by the time Trump decided to leave, despite attempts to continue the discussion.
He added: “As the questioning intensifies we see him do what is called a ‘gestural retreat’ as he is thrown off from his plan.
“She was defiant and committed to keep the interview moving forward, not buckling under his intimidation tactics and that unnerved him.”
On social media, viewers described the interview as a clear example of “gaslighting”, with one person claiming that “he truly thinks that people believe him”.
“If anyone you know is unsure of what gaslighting is, just show them this interview,” one added.