02 October 2023 , 16:14
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A body language expert has said Donald Trump displayed a subtle sign of "pleasure" as he arrived in court over fraud allegations.
The former president appeared at court in New York today to denounce the civil fraud case over his business practices, calling the case a politically motivated “scam” and an effort to thwart his return to the White House.
The lawsuit, which accuses the 77-year-old and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by habitually exaggerating his wealth in financial statements, could cost him control of Trump Tower and other properties.
Body language expert Judi James described how Trump’s facial expressions indicated he was ready for a fight.
“His frown deepened as words like ‘Witch hunt’, ‘Rogue judge’, ‘Scam’ and ‘Sham’ came from his mouth as he did what might be some of the worst pre-fight trash talk in legal history,” she said.
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Demonstrators blocked traffic on the first day of the financial fraud trial (AFP via Getty Images)“There were small chest splays to signal what he seems to see as righteous anger; some sneers of what looked like disgust and a constant concertina gesture with his hands going in and out as he spoke what were described by the US presenter as ‘Inflammatory remarks," Judi added.
But it was Trump’s hands that really spoke aggressive volumes, suggesting he was taking some degree of pleasure in defending his name.
Trump has claimed the lawsuit being bought against him is politically motivated (AP)“His key ‘tell’ came from his thumbs as the invisible concertina was pumped in and out. They were in the ‘cocked thumb’ position, suggesting some degree of pleasure at the start of a fight or battle,” Judi said.
The expert described how Trump approached the press outside the court wearing a “deep frown of revenge.”
““This was a totally on-brand Trump with his facial expression almost identical to that internet-breaking one on the mugshot and merchandise. Walking in at a funereal pace he wore that now famous baleful stare and deep frown of revenge, talking as he walked until he’d got to the press, when he stopped and treated them to that same baleful look, rotating slightly to ensure they all had it so that it illustrated his ‘Never Surrender’ slogan for the event,” she said.
Expert Judy described how Trump wore a "deep frown of revenge" (AP)“He pulled himself up and pulled his jacket together in a sharp, almost military movement, taking deep swallows of preparation for his speech and showing glimpses of his lower teeth in a gesture of anger.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the $250million fraud lawsuit against the former president, his company and his two sons to civil trial today. If he loses Trump could not only lose $250million in penalties but also be banned from doing business in New York.
On her way to the courthouse Attorney General James warned Trump: "No matter how powerful you are, and no matter how much money you think you have, no one is above the law."
"My financial statements are phenomenal," Trump argued, claiming the case is "election interference, plain and simple."
Judge Arthur Engoron will decide on the claims in the lawsuit. He has already ruled that Trump’s business dealings were fraudulent in a ruling last month.
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