24 January 2024 , 14:20
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A body language expert described Donald Trump as 'tank-like' with a 'desire to humiliate' during his victory speech in New Hampshire.
The former president, who won his second straight nominating contest against Nikki Haley, was said to be showing 'smug shock and awe'. Despite not verbally attacking Haley as harshly as he usually does with Democrats and other Republican candidates, Trump couldn't resist a jibe at her during his speech. He called her an 'imposter', following his convincing win that brings us closer to a repeat of the 2020 election.
Trump, with former opponent Tim Scott standing behind him, said: "I can say to everybody 'oh thank you for the victory, it's wonderful', or I can go up and say, 'who the hell was the imposter that went up on the stage before, and like claimed the victory'.
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Republican presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley delivers remarks at her primary night rally at the Grappone Conference Center on January 23, 2024 (Getty Images)She did very poorly actually. She had to win. The governor said 'she's gonna win, she's gonna win, she's gonna win', then she failed badly."
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Body language expert Judi James noted Trump's less direct attack on Nikki Haley.
She told The Mirror: "Trump's 'attack' on Haley here could be telling. In his usual, tank-like style he crushes anything that gets in his way, but although he calls her an 'imposter' his rituals of anger and a desire to crush and humiliate are not aimed directly at Haley here," she explained.
James added: "His approach to her has been, by his standards, muted, which could hint that someone behind the scenes has been telling him to avoid a more open, Hilary Clinton insult-style attack. His recent mention of Haley at a NH rally actually turned into a deflection aimed at Hilary Clinton, who he was and still is openly scathing about,"
Trump used his usual mocking voice to tease the governor who suggested Haley was on track for a primary win - a victory some pundits believe she needs to prove her chances. "Trump has become very fond
of using role-play mimicry to refer to people and moments," said James. "It's a very strong form of attack by ridiculing them. Here though his mimicry is of the governor, not Haley, hinting he's still keeping his powder dry when it comes to her.
Trump was joined by his former opponents on stage for his victory speech (AFP via Getty Images)"His squeezebox hand gesture runs throughout this moment, suggesting a rather smug shock and awe that anyone would try to contradict him. His 'I don't get angry I get even' might sound sinister on paper but it was delivered with less venom he has shown for some of his recent foes. He tries for a precision gesture that becomes truncated and there is a display of his lower teeth that looks tough but mainly good-humoured."
With Trump winning in Iowa and New Hampshire, Nikki Haley will be hoping for a victory in Nevada or the Virgin Islands, both hosting their caucuses on February 8. This comes before the primary in Haley's home state of South Carolina. There are whispers that if Haley doesn't win in the southeastern state, she may be pressured to step down, allowing Trump to focus on Joe Biden.
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