Donald Trump's confidence took a hit as he sent a "warning signal" to a crowd booing him while addressing the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday, a body language expert has said.
The former US president is used to rallying before crowds of ardent fans but this time he was also met with hostility. The Libertarians, staunch advocates for minimal government and personal liberty, have long been wary of the ex-president, and his appearance at their convention sparked controversy within the party.
In an attempt to connect with the audience, Trump quipped about his four criminal indictments saying: "If I wasn't a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now." According to Judi James, being booed, as Trump was, can "bring out telling response displays" with reactions including anger or fear.
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Donald Trump addresses the Libertarian Party National Convention at the Washington Hilton on May 25 (Getty Images)She explained that initially, Trump showed no signs of low self-esteem as his body language made him look "surprisingly indignant" with his brows raised and lips "clamped and pulled down hard at the sides". However, his attitude changed later as his eye contact dropped, with his "Lightning Smile" apparently sending out a "warning signal", Judi said.
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During his speech, Trump tried to praise "fierce champions of freedom in this room" and called US President Joe Biden a "tyrant" and the "worst president in the history of the United States," prompting some in the audience to scream back: "That's you." As the insults continued, Trump eventually hit back, saying "you don't want to win" and suggested some Libertarians want to "keep getting your 3% every four years".
Libertarian Party members booed Trump during his speech (AFP via Getty Images)Judi told The Mirror: "Being booed as Trump is here can bring out telling response displays. It can create visual flickers of the kind of distress that suggests someone is secretly agreeing with the boos, suggesting low self-esteem that is normally being masked, or it can prompt a state of anger and aggressive arousal or even fear."
She added: "In this clip, Trump initially shows no signs of low self-esteem. Instead, his body language makes him look surprisingly indignant, which plays slightly against his 'man of the people' appeal. His brows raise as he performs a superior stare at the audience. His lips are clamped and pulled down hard at the sides. When he speaks he reverts to a sarcastic voice for part of his message which seems to be knocking the detractors."
But Judi said there was a change of attitude in the former president, explaining: "There is a hint of lowered confidence as his eye contact drops though. He stops staring them out in challenging behaviour and the dropping of the eyes looks a little like a ‘who blinked first’ contest that he just lost.
"His Lightning Smile that flashes across his face is not a display of happiness or good humour, more a baring of his teeth which in the animal kingdom would be sent out as a warning signal. He also pauses, placing one hand on the lectern, before continuing to shout through the boos."
Trump's confidence seemed low, said Ms James (Getty Images)Eventually, the Libertarian Party rejected both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr - and selected former Georgia Senate candidate Chase Oliver as their presidential nominee. Third parties have rarely been competitive in US presidential elections and the Libertarian candidate four years ago won 1% of the vote.
But the party's decision is getting more attention this year due to the rematch between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden, which could hinge again on small vote margins in a handful of contested states. "We did it! I am officially the presidential nominee," Oliver posted Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. "It's time to unify and move forward for liberty."
Oliver is an activist from Atlanta who previously ran for the US Senate and US House from Georgia. His campaign website calls for major cuts to the federal budget with an eye toward balancing the budget, the abolition of the death penalty, the closure of all overseas military bases, and ending of military support to Israel and Ukraine.
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