A body language expert has analyzed President Donald Trump’s reaction to a reporter questioning him about rumors suggesting he had died.
On Tuesday (September 2), The White House announced that Trump would deliver a statement later that day.
Given the rampant online speculation regarding his health, including some social media posts falsely claiming he had passed away, many were eager to hear the purpose of the press conference.
Though the focus of the announcement was on the relocation of the US Space Command HQ to Alabama, reporters didn’t shy away from addressing some of the circulating rumors.
One reporter inquired: “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead? Did you see that?”
Trump replied: “No. Really, I didn’t see that… Last week, I did numerous news conferences, they went very well like this is going very well.
“I didn’t do any for two days and they said ‘there must be something wrong with him’.
“Biden wouldn’t do them for months, you wouldn’t see him, but nobody ever said there was anything wrong with him but we know he wasn’t in the greatest of shape.”
He went on to recount his activities over the weekend, commenting: “I was very active over the weekend, I didn’t hear that one, that’s pretty serious.
“It’s fake news. I knew they were saying ‘is he okay?’… it’s also a longer weekend, Labor Day weekend, I was very active.”
After these remarks, body language expert Dr. Beth Dawson observed that Trump exhibited subtle signs of unease while addressing the question.
She explained: “While Trump listens to the journalist’s question, his baseline communication is very typical of him: he sits still, head slightly tilted, lips pressed together. But as soon as he is asked, ‘How did it feel to hear people thought you were dead?’ we catch some body leakage: a subtle sideways eye shift. Paired with tension in the face; tight lips, a slight frown, this kind of eye movement often signals suspicion, evaluation and self-protection, as though he is literally ‘looking sideways’ at the question without wanting to confront it head-on.
“He is thinking about how to answer, but he is not fully at ease: he doesn’t laugh, smile, or shake his head. His body stays very still, and there is a pause that lasts slightly longer after the word ‘demise’. He is definitely not comfortable with this line of questioning.”
Dawson further noted a ‘lip lick’ from Trump, commonly observed in high-pressure situations.
“The mouth often dries because stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response,” she continued.
“Licking the lips is a self-soothing behaviour, an unconscious effort to stay in control. It can also signal nervous anticipation, bracing for a difficult moment. When combined with the shrug and eye shift, it speaks less of composure and more of discomfort.
“There are also flashes of sadness and anxiety. The corners of the mouth pull down; a recognized part of the sadness expression, and when paired with a curling lip, it reveals tension.
“For a split second, his face betrays a lack of full confidence before he reasserts control.”
When Trump brought up Biden, Dawson pointed out that he employed a deflection tactic.
“By shifting the topic to Biden, Trump diverts the spotlight away from himself,” she observed.
“It’s a familiar rhetorical tactic: draw a comparison, or buy time. He could reassure the audience by addressing his health directly, which is what they expect, but by deflecting to Biden, he takes the heat off himself.
“When he talks about ‘fake news’, Trump adjusts his posture, standing taller. Symbolically, this says: ‘I’m emphasising this point.’ But because the phrase ‘fake news’ carries weight in his communication, the shift also betrays defensiveness, showing just how much the question about his demise touched a nerve.
“Later, when he says, ‘I was very active this Labour Day,’ his eyebrows shoot up. This isn’t accidental. Raised brows act like a non-verbal exclamation mark. They sell the point, add emphasis, and invite acknowledgment from the audience. A classic self-promotion cue.”
Inquiry has been sent to The White House for their comment.