Trump is 'formidable' opponent to Joe Biden as he shows 'easy-going confidence'
Donald Trump, the controversial former president, put on a show with the "easy-going confidence of a stand-up comic" at a live town hall last night, a body language expert has said.
He walked on stage with his usual confidence, waving to the cheering crowd in Iowa chanting "USA, USA!". It's become his stock-in-trade, claiming successes and knowledge that leave many opponents skeptical at best.
But body language expert Judi James says this ability to hold an audience and come across as a straight-dealing, man-of-the-people politician is what makes him such a formidable opponent in his party's race to be their presidential candidate and challenge Joe Biden.
She told The Mirror: "Like him or loathe him, compared to the Haley v De Santis debate Trump's solo show looks like the one you'd buy a ticket for. There are no lecterns in sight and, using a stool as his prop, his body language suggests the kind of easy-going confidence of a stand-up comic."
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Trump's 'megaphone gesture' is a great way of sealing a connection with the crowd (Getty Images)"He's even seen clutching a mug, which was a signature prop of Tony Blair during his time as PM and which he used to project the aura of being a man of the people. This is clearly 'An audience with...' and although the use of the stool could suggest some hints of dipping energy (at one point he stands behind it, holding it with his hand like a Zimmer frame), the more powerful message is one of listening as well as speaking.
"When someone stands on stage they are giving a lecture but the moment the sit or perch it takes on the look of a two-way, unscripted and more relaxed conversation. Unlike the lectern pose there is nowhere to hide crib notes or PR messages like 'remember to smile'. There is also a lack of barriers between yourself and your audience, which strengthens the idea of connection."
Our body language expert says Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley were too formal compared to Trump (Getty Images)She said that Iowa showed how Trump still uses his signature gesture of holding his elbows tucked tight into his torso and his hands out in the squeezebox position to make some of his points. She explained: "His leg splay as he stands alone, suggesting confidence, although there is the slightest hint in the 'Bambi' positioning of the legs that he might just be beginning to suffer from the kind of unsteadiness that Biden is now known for."
Joe Biden's presidency is under threat from Trump in the election this year (AFP via Getty Images)The expert noted how Trump had a unique way of interacting with his fans, like pretending to use a loudspeaker with his hands. She said: "This style of campaigning would give the audience the sense of being closer to Trump and knowing him better, whereas the formal debating style that DeSantis and Haley were using can tend to become more of a meaningless ritual of confrontation and fight."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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